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THE "ELMWOOD" MANSION, TOPSFIELD
This house faces the Common and was built in 1808 for Billy
Emerson, the uncle of the authoress who lived nearby. The end
NEAREST THE STREET IS OF BRICK, AND INCORPORATED |N THE STRUCTURE,
AT THE REAR, ARE THE KITCHEN AND STUDY OF THE REV. JOHN EMERSON
HOUSE WHICH WAS ERECTED ABOUT 1733.
THE
HISTORICAL
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VOL. XXIV
1919
TOPSFIELD, MASS.
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
1919
GEORGE FRANCIS DOW
Editor
THE PERKINS PRESS
£opffteft
MASS.
CONTENTS
THE EMERSON-BALCH-JORDAN HOUSE Frontispiece
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY, 1918 - - - iv
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR
ENDING DEC. 3 1, 1918 V
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR THE YEAR
ENDING DEC. 3 1 , 1918 - - - - vii
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE BUILDING FUND - Vlii
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE, A TALE OF
TOPSFIELD, BY MRS. HARRIET J. HOLMES - I
REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 1 843 - 7 1
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS - 76
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS, 1704-1730 - 9°
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD, COPIED
by GEORGE FRANCIS DOW ( Continued ) - 1 13
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD ( 1 668- 1 669)
ABSTRACTED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW - 1 27
TOPSFIELD VITAL STATISTICS, 1918 - - I41
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 19 1 8 - - - 144
BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, 1918 - - - 144
OFFICERS
OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1918
PRESIDENT
Charles Joel Peabody
VICE-PRESIDENT
Thomas Emerson Proctor
SECRETARY AND TREASURER
George Francis Dow
CURATOR
Albert M. Dodge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Charles Joel Peabody, ex-officio
Thomas Emerson Proctor, ex-officio
George Francis Dow, ex-officio
Franklin Balch
W. Pitman Gould
Leone P. Welch
Arthur H. Wellman
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 3 1, 1918.
The membership of the Society on December 31, 1918
was 241. Three names have been proposed for member-
ship during the year, twenty have been dropped for non-
payment of the annual dues, none have resigned and three
have died, viz. Miss Elizabeth Chase, Thomas D. Connolly
of Beverly Farms, and Joseph F. Smith, President of the
Mormon Church, Salt Lake City, who had been a member
of the Society since 1902 and whose ancestors lived in
Topsfield.
For the first time in the history of the Society the annual
meeting was postponed on account of inclement weather
and the meeting in May, at which were to be read the sev-
eral papers presented at the 75th anniversary of the dedi-
cation of the Congregational Meeting House, was ad-
journed on account of small attendance.
Aside from the contributions of personal service to the
necessities of the Great War and the demands of civilian
service, the enthusiasm and activity of the town during the
past year has found vent through various forms of hos-
pital aid and in working for the physical comfort of the
soldiers in service, so that interest in historical work and
in the meetings of this Society has marked a low ebb.
This organization, however, with the coming of peace can
step into its proper position and record what has taken place
for the benefit of future generations. In a forthcoming
volume of the Historical Collections it is proposed to print
a full account of the activities of the town of Topsfield : —
a list of those inducted into the service, with biographical
details; the organization of the Home Guard; and com-
plete statistics of all activities in aid and hospital work.
VI
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.
Largely because our local printer, Perkins, was drafted
into the service, but little progress has been made in print-
ing Vol. 23. of the Historical Collections.
Mr. Sheahan continues as custodian of the Capen House
on terms advantageous to the Society. During the fall,
on his return from a tour of observation with the Am-
erican and English naval forces, he very kindly consented
to deliver a free lecture in the Town Hall under the aus-
pices of this Society. The advertising matter was printed
and about to be posted when the authorities placed a ban
upon public meetings because of the prevailing influenza.
At a later date the proposed lecture was again postponed
because of Mr. Sheahan’s sudden departure for California,
and here the matter rests at present.
One hundred dollars has been paid on account of the
Capen House note, reducing the amount to $1500.00.
The comfortable cash balance now in the treasury, to-
gether with forthcoming dividends and rentals should make
possible the payment of another installment during the
coming year.
The Capen House is in first class condition and repair.
Recently it has supplied structural information to the
committee in charge of the restoration of the house given
to the newly organized Rowley Historical Society. A
portion of the land adjoining the Capen House again
has been used for war gardens.
Respectfully submitted,
George Francis Dow,
Secretary .
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER
vii
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER
OF THE
TopsfielcL Historical Society
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1 91 8
RECEIPTS
Jan. i, 1918. Balance cash on hand $i 07
Hist. Colls, sold at .50c. 9 00
“ “ bindings sold at .35c. 5 95
Annual dues 18 00
$34 02
PAYMENTS
Expenses at annual meeting
Postage
Misc. printing, notices, etc.
$ 98
1 73
8 09 $10 80
Jan. 1, 1919. Balance cash on hand
23 22
Respectfully submitted,
George Francis Dow,
Treasurer.
Approved,
W. Pitman Gould,
Auditor.
REPORT ON THE BUILDING FUND
viii
Topsfield Historical Society
TREASURER’S REPORT ON THE BUILDING FUND
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, I91 8.
Jan. i, 1918
RECEIPTS
Jan. 1, 1919
Balance cash on hand
$80 20
Dividends U. Shoe Mach. Co.
including extra dividend
135 00
Rent of Capen house (Mr. Sheahan)
120 00
$335 2©
PAYMENTS
Interest on note
$80 00
Paid on account principal of note
100 00
Repairs, Capen House
2 20
Insurance ($1500) on Capen House
17 25
Printing Volume 23 Hist. Coll.
27 97
2 reams paper stock for Vol. 23, Hist.
Colls.
24 00
$251 42
Balance cash on hand
$83 78
STATEMENT
On hand 45 shares U. Shoe Mach. Co
common stock (market value 45%) $2,447 5°
Less note $1,500. at 5 per cent. $1,500 00
Value of Fund $947 50
Parson Capen house and 1 1-5 acre
land (cost) $2,100 00
Restoration and furnishings $2,461 12
$4,561 12
Respectfully submitted,
George Francis Dow,
Treasurer.
Approved,
W. Pitman Gould,
A uditor.
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE
BY MRS. HARRIET J. (EMERSON) HOLMES.*
Chapter i.
One was a stern and stal worth man
And a mighty charger rode,
The other was a graceful youth
Who a chestnut steed bestrode.
One evening in the spring of 1813, two horsemen were
seen riding along the road leading from Wenham to Tops-
field. The elder of the two was a man of Herculean pro-
portions, and his age was apparently forty-five; his coun-
tenance expressed that sort of lofty daring, that look of
defiance, which is ever seen in those conscious of their
physical strength and who are accustomed to overcome
every obstacle that obstructs their path. He was mounted
upon a large and strong horse of jetty blackness, an ani-
mal that seemed made on purpose to carry the gigantic
form of his master. This formidable personage was at-
tired in a surtout of brown cloth and a cap of dark fur,
both much the worse for wear, which showed that he
thought as little of his costume as of the dangers that be-
*Mrs. Harriet Josephine (Emerson) Holmes, was the daughter of
Joseph and Lydia (Burrill) Emerson and was born in Jan., 1813 in the
house facing the Topsfield Common which is now owned and occupied
by Willard Emery. She was an only child and was educated at Brad-
ford Academy. While visiting relatives in Baltimore, Md., she fell
under Roman Catholic influences and after a time accepted that faith
and set up a small altar in her home in Topsfield. She was possessed
of rather unusual literary ability and numerous examples of her prose
and verse are preserved. She also calculated the time of an approach -
ing eclipse and in other ways exhibited mathematical genius. In 1836
she married Charles H. Holmes, Esq., a lawyer, son of Hon. John
Holmes, the first United States senator from Maine (see Topsfield
Historical Collections, Vol. 1 1, pp. 88-105). They had no children and
she died Sept. 17, 1849, aged 36 years.
(1)
2
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
set his way. His companion was a young man who had
seen some twenty-three summers. He was of the middie
height and well if not strongly made, his countenance ex-
pressed all the courage and firmness without the rough-
ness so conspicuous in the face of the elder rider, and
those who observed the determined glance of his dark
blue eye learned at once that it was no poltroon with whom
they had to deal. He managed with perfect equestrian
skill the high spirited chestnut steed upon which he sat
with the ease and grace of an Arab. He wore the drab
great coat with many capes in so much repute by the
gallants of that period, a cap of the richest seal skin was
worn so as to display to the best advantage the dark brown
hair, that clustered thickly round his smooth high fore-
head, and bespoke him as careful of his personal appear-
ance as his fellow traveller was neglectful. Yet now it
could be seen that nothing of so trifling a nature occupied
his mind. There was a cloud of sorrow upon his open,
manly brow, and his thin and firmly closed mouth be-
tokened a resolution of character which that feature alone
can express.
They had pursued their way sometime without speak-
ing, the gray twilight of evening had darkened into night,
not a star was to be seen, and every moment seemed to
render the path more and more obscure. They loosened
the bridles upon the necks of their horses, trusting entire-
ly to their sagacity to keep the road, for it was not then
the well beaten and well fenced thoroughfare of the present
day. The elder rider who had been moving slowly along
to indulge the reveries of his companion, now suddenly
struck spurs to his horse and calling to the young man to
follow, darted forward at a furious rate.
“Why, Uncle John,” cried the youth as he regained the
side of that powerful horseman, “Why, Uncle John, you
ride as though you were flying from the arch-fiend him-
self, what is the cause of this sudden haste, no enemy in
the rear I trust?*' “Fiend, enemy," exclaimed the elder,
I never encountered the one or fled from the other — no !
but I tell you this will be a stormy night and the sooner
we reach Uncle Tom’s the better; ten minutes hard riding
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
3
will bring us to his door, and then Blackbird,” he said
patting the neck of his horse, “you shall be well bedded
and fed.” “Well, I care not,” said the young man, “how
the elements rage to-night, but God grant that all may be
quiet to-morrow.”
No other word was spoken until they arrived at a spa-
cious and richly built mansion,* surrounded by out-build-
ings of every description, denoting the wealth and impor-
tance of the owner.
“Here we are at last,” said the elder gentleman, spring-
ing from his horse, and winding the bridle round one of
the posts of a shed that stood at the entrance of the yard.
His companion followed his example and then both
entered a large old-fashioned kitchen to which they had
been guided by the light of an enormous peat fire that was
brightly glowing in the wide chimney. It was the hour
of supper and some half score of stout, rough looking men
were seated at a long pine table apparently doing ample
justice to the abundant but coarse fare that was before
them.
By the fire-place stood two other domestics, who would
have attracted the attention of the new comers had they
been strangers at the house. One of them was a middle-
aged negressf whose form it must be confessed approached
more to embonpoint than was consistent with the rules of
female loveliness, but her face was good for one of her race,
and her teeth many a fine lady might have been excused
for envying them. She was dressed in a short gown or
jacket of coarse cloth, with petticoat and apron of the
same material, a checkered handkerchief was bound round
her head, and from her ears were suspended large hoops
of gold. She was indeed no inconsiderable personage in
that numerous household. But he who stood beside her
might well have been taken for some goblin sprite, so dis-
torted, so almost hideous was his appearance. His long,
^Hereafter characterized as “Elmwood” and undoubtedly the Billy
Emerson place facing the Common and now owned by Mr. and Mrs.
C. F. Jordan. Billy Emerson was Mrs. Holmes’ uncle.
fProbably Phillis Emerson, a colored servant in the Emerson fam-
ily who died July 9, 1851, aged 73 years.
4
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE
flat head was set awry upon his round broad shoulders,
he was short and corpulent, his limbs were crooked, and his
ankle was in the very centre of his foot. His thick coarse
features were void of all expression and he was continu-
ally rolling up his large goggle eyes in a manner really
frightful. He wore, for it would be a thousand pities in
these dress loving days to neglect to describe the attire of
a character so original, he wore a pair of cast-off sheep-
skin breeches, which had not improved in their appearance
since they came into his possession, a dark blue coat minus
the skirts, that had also seen much service as the elbows
most plainly attested, a pair of boots much down at the
heels and appearing particularly anxious to aid his stock-
ings in displaying his bare toes; these with a crownless
and almost rimless hat completed the costume of this gro-
tesque figure.
As the travellers entered, these two descendants, prob-
ably of some African hero, were busily engaged in raking
from the ashes numberless potatoes, which after being
brushed with a wing were added to the other fare upon
the table.
Such was the scene that met the eyes of our horsemen,
but the careless glance they cast around, the look of recog-
nition and the familiar, “How are ye Phil,” bestowed upon
the sable female, and the order to her companion to see
well to their horses, showed they were anything but
strangers at the house.
“And what sends old Big-Fist here to-night,” said Phillis,
for such was the name of the negress, as the travellers en-
tered the sitting room of her master, “What in the devil’s
name sends him here. I shall have to fry more bacon for
his tarnal supper than wrould feed ten men and a bull dog.”
Then turning to her companion and addressing him by the
name of Phut, she ordered him to light a lantern and do as
he had been bidden. Phut slowly obeyed muttering all the
time about having so many masters and mistresses, and
then raising his voice, he declared he was Mr. Jo’s boy and
need not mind anybody but him unless he had a mind to.
“Hold your tongue you black imp of Satan, and be off
about your business,” said a tall lantern-jawed man, who
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
5
had just risen from the table, and whom his comrades had
addressed by the name of Healy.* “Hold your tongue
and be off, and see you give them horses as much grain as
they’ll eat for I reckon their mettle will be tried to-morrow.”
“And who asked you to put in your oar old Jack o’lantern,”
said the negress, “and what right I should like to know
have you to reckon about what don’t consarn you.” “What
don’t consarn me,” returned Healy, “it consarns me as
much as anybody, and aint all the newspapers full of it,
and every child knows that Thornton Stanly will be taken
out of jail to morrow and sent to Boston to be tried for
his life; but I guess John Power and Stanly’s brother Ben
and some others richer and craftier than they, know a few
and it’s my opinion that Thornton Stanly will never be
hung in these States.” “And it’s mine,” said Phillis, “that
you had better give your red rug a holyday, for if John
Power was to hear you talk so free, he’d depopulate your
clam-shell mighty quick.” “That would not be such a
dreadful easy matter,” said Healy, displaying as he spoke
two rows of thickly set double teeth, and stooping down
he seized with those teeth an iron kettle filled with water,
that hung over the fire, and lifting it from the hook he
placed it upon the hearth with the greatest apparent ease.
“How say you now,” shouted he. “I conclude it would
take more then one blow of Johnny’s fist, strong as it is, to
make me a toothless mumbler.” “Yes that it would,”
simultaneously exclaimed his associates, who had all risen
from the table during his debate with Phillis and had wit-
nessed in amazement his strong and dexterous feat.
As they seated themselves around the blazing hearth,
their conversation began gradually to return to the trial of
Stanly, and the chances of his acquittal or escape. But
Phillis invariably checked all allusion to the affair in any
shape and though she herself would occasionly let fall both
hints and guesses she did not choose to extend the same lib-
erty to others. Having been born and reared in the family,
she imagined she had a right to a greater knowledge of
her master’s affairs, than would be proper for any hired
person in his numerous establishment to possess, however
faithful they might be, and therefore while she was present
*Levi Healey married Lucy Welch and died in 1824.
6
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
they were obliged to amuse themselves with conversation
less annoying to their despotic friend of the dishcloth ; for
no monarch ever believed more firmly in his right to the
crown he wore than Phil believed in the justice of her claim
to the sovereignty of that kitchen.
Chapter ii.
Frank hospitality they found,
And friends both true and bold,
Who fearlessly would danger dare
Or aid them with their gold.
In an apartment serving both as sleeping room and par-
lour, sat our two friends with Mr. and Mrs. Elmwood the
master and mistress of the mansion and grouped around
in the various postures of domestic ease were seen two
fine looking men and several females. The younger part
of the family had retired to rest, save one'tall, delicate
looking girl of seventeen, whose eyes constantly strayed
from the book she was reading and rested with looks of
admiration upon the handsome person and fashionable
costume of the young Stanly who sat with his head rest-
ing upon his hand and for once in his life totally uncon-
scious of the presence of beauty.
In one corner of the room was the bed, with its cover-
ing and curtains of green damask, a round oaken table
serving all the purposes of a centre-table of the present
day, stood beneath a large looking-glass with a broad ma-
hogany frame surmounted by a spread eagle gilt in the
best fashion of olden time. Upon the table stood a silver
tankard of cider from which Power at short intervals quaffed
large draughts. Directly in front of a huge fire made of
the stumps of trees, sat the master of the house, and though
he could call full many an acre of forest land his own he
still preserved the economical habits of his youth, that he
might bequeath a rich inheritance to the sons of whom he
was so proud. He was a man with whom time had gently
dealt, and none to have looked upon his brightly animat-
ed countenance, still bearing the marks of that beauty for
which in youth he had been remarked, and his light brown
hair yet scarcely tinged with grey, would have imagined
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
7
that he had seen the snows of more than seventy winters.
At his right hand in a high-backed and cushioned chair
sat his wife, a woman whose dignified manners and noble
physiognomy told at once of a mind of no common order.
The voice of Phil was now heard from the kitchen call-
ing the name of Abram,* at which an old man in the garb
of a domestic, who had been sitting on a low stool in a
recess at one side of the wide chimney, alternately engaged
in caressing a large black mastiff that couched at his feet,
and in replenishing the fire, the last which he did much
oftener than was necessary from an ample pile of fuel be-
side him, now arose and his form and features as plainly
proclaimed his Dutch origin as the merry smile and kind
word of Mr. Elmwood, “They can do nothing without
us, can they Abram?” told that he was at once a priv-
ileged and favourite servant. And if ever devotion to a
master’s interests and love for his person should gain for
man the confidence and esteem of his employer none mer-
ited it more than this faithful namesake of the great He-
brew patriarch. He obeyed the peremptory summons he
had just received, and left the room with a low bow and
an unintelligible, “no shir,” unintelligible at least to those
who were unaccustomed to his half Dutch and broken
English jargon. He soon returned and busied himself in
making ready the table to receive the supper prepared in
Phil’s best style. Phil prided herself upon her skill in
cooking and no French artiste would have been more of-
fended to have had his abilities a la cuisine questioned
than our sable friend. It is true Phil's manner of prepar-
ing her dishes was somewhat different from the souvenirs
of the great masters in the art of French gastronomic;
but what of that, the customs of their respective countries
were also different, in her own way Phil was inimitable
and she hesitated not to affirm, that she could boil beef,
dress calf’s head and clean vegetables with anybody, she
did not care who, and this evening she had given suffici-
ent proof of her dexterity in frying bacon and sausages,
for a large dish of each now smoked on the table, a tempt-
*Abraham Brevet, “a foreigner from Holland, resident in this town
for several years,” died of consumption in 1816 aged about 60 years.
8
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
in g sight to the palate of Power, who had already com-
menced attacks upon the savoring viands for neither
trouble nor danger deprived him of appetite. Not so
Stanly; he could scarcely be prevailed upon to take even
a cup of tea his mind was so harrassed by grief and fear;
but it was not the fear of a coward, but of an anxious and
all daring brother.
At the table presided a lady of tall form and singularly
striking countenance. She was the wife of Robert, Mr. Elm-
wood’s eldest son, a woman of a wonderfully strong mind
and equally strong feelings. In early youth she had been
handsome and she claimed descent from one of our old
charter governors, even the good and venerable Brad-
street.* Unaccomplished and unacquainted with fashion-
able life as the daughter of a New England farmer of that
day must necessarily have been, yet such was the innate
dignity of her character that she could have mingled with
the first and proudest of the land and have commanded
their attention and respect.
By the side of her mother-in-law sat the wife of Josephf
the cadet of the family, and the open expression of her
features was the index of her frank and artless nature. The
long curls of her dark auburn hair shaded a face, consid-
ered by her husband at least as the perfection of female
lovliness, and if not a beautiful it was without debate an
amiable countenance, and her form rounded and full might
have vied with the Medicean Venus in symmetry and
beauty. She was busily plying her needle, in the use of
which she was well skilled, while her husband a tall, broad
shouldered man of gentlemanly bearing and in expression
and features resembling his mother more than any of her
sons, was standing by the fire with his eyes resting upon
Stanly whom he was earnestly but courteously pressing
to join Power in taking some food. But Stanly could not
eat, he was restlessly waiting for Power to finish his repast,
that he might open the subject nearest his heart, the fate
*Billy Emerson married Ruth Bradstreet in 1791.
fjoseph Emerson, the father of the authoress, was the youngest
son of Thomas and Lydia (Porter) Emerson. Lydia Porter came
from Wenham. Joseph Emerson married Lydia Burrill of Salem.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
9
of his imprisoned brother. He arose and crossed the
room and seated himself by his aged aunt. She took his
hand in hers; she breathed words of comfort into his ear
and those words were to his sorrowing heart as a healing
balsam poured into the wounds of a bleeding man. He
felt the truth of every word she spoke, for she was a wom-
an famed to sway the minds and regulate the thoughts of
others. None could see her without feeling her superiority,
none could converse with her without being quickly aware
of the strength of her intellect, the correctness of her
judgment and that wisdom which is derived from on High.
And now she calmed the fears and soothed the grief of
that afflicted and affectionate youth and earnestly entreat-
ed him to put his trust in Heaven and his eye brightened
and his heart grew lighter. Such is the influence a virtu-
ous and high souled woman possesses over the mind of
man.
Robert Elmwood now entered the room ; he had left it
immediately on the entrance of the guests saying that he
would see that their horses were well cared for and he had
remained in the stable all the while superintending the
cleaning and bedding of his friends’ steeds. If there was
anything that he coveted on earth, it was all the fine horses
he chanced to see, and never was there a better judge of
those noble animals; his knowledge in that particular
might have excited the envy of the horse-loving, horse-
racing Nobles of the horse-breeding Isle of Britain. He
seated himself by the fire and his appearance was that of
a man with whom the world went well; nor had he then
encountered any of those trials, which in after life, silvered
his hair, furrowed his brow and rent his heart now joyous
with kind feelings and uninterrupted prosperity. He was
a man of short stature, but well formed and his features
were regular and even handsome and their expression de-
noted the kind husband and indulgent father. There was a
merry glance in his eye which said he loved a pleasant
joke, and a shrewd expression in his features that accord-
ed well with the reputation he had gained of always mak-
ing a good bargain. He possessed by far the mildest
temper of any of his race and nature and education had
IO
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
combined to render him the poor man’s friend. This be-
nevolent trait of character he shared in common with the
rest of his family. Their home like the convents and cas-
tles of feudal story was ever open to the needy, friendless
stranger.
“The poor their generous bounty blest
And travellers ’neath their roof found rest.”
A smile now played round the mouth of Robert Elm-
wood and brightened his eye as turning to Power who had
not yet finished his repast he complimented him upon the
strength and beauty of his favorite horse. “Yes, yes 1”
returned Power, while his stern features were for a mo-
ment softened by a pleasant smile. “Yes, Blackbird is a
treasure indeed, he is the only animal I ever owned that
could sustain my gigantic frame with ease and he carries
me just as easily as common horses carry boys, and I would
not part with him for the best charger in Bonaparte’s sta-
bles.”
“The ruling passion strong even in this extremity,” said
Mr. Elmwood addressing Stanly, “Robert talks of horses
with the same zest that Henri the third of France did of
dogs. Well, they are both manly tastes and need cause no
man to blush, and though your cousin’s conversation just
now might have seemed to you just a little mal a proper
yet trust me my dear boy,” and the kind old man laid his
hand affectionately on Stanly’s shoulder, “that he is as in-
terested in Thornton’s fate as the rest of us and will be as
ready to aid you with heart, hand and head ; in the latter
old and experienced as I am I yield the palm to him, he
can plan like the first Casar, and Power there can execute
deeds that might dim the fame of the knights of Romance.
Now as soon as the table is cleared and the servants re-
tired we will mature the plans for tomorrow.
Abram with the aid of another domestic soon removed
the dishes, and after heaping on the fire an armful of wood
quitted the room, and Mr. Elmwood again addressing
Stanly inquired in what way he intended to effect Thorn-
ton’s escape. “You know,” continued he, “that you may
command my services to the utmost, ’tis true I am old
and my frame is weak, but my soul is as firm and resolute
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
1 1
as in the days of my early manhood ; then I could have
aided you with an arm of strength and sinews of iron. Oh !
that I could be, were it but for a day, as I was when I
fought by the side of my brave Commander Sir William
Pepperell, at the seige of Louisburg. Then should my arm
united with Powers; soon free your beloved brother from
his dark and dismal abode and place him in safety far from
here. But it may not be, I am old and my hand once so
strong is now powerless as an infant’s; but I have wealth,
I have men, I have horses, all these you may command
and I have strong and fearless sons who will stand by you
until death. Fear not, you will succeed, let the deed but
be executed boldly and all will then be well, rescue him
my brave boy and leave the rest to us. We will baffle his
pursuers though they see with the eye of the hawk and have
the scent of the blood hound. No vile cord shall ever touch
the neck of one who claims me as kinsman while I have
gold to spend or men to do my bidding.” “Nor, by Heav-
en,” exclaimed Stanly rising with kindling eye and dilat-
ed frame, “shall one who calls me brother be arraigned
before any earthly tribunal while I have hand to grasp a
dagger, draw the trigger of a pistol, or a drop of blood to
shed. We can at least die together, and I would a thous-
and times rather die myself, a thousand times rather see
him fall at my side mortally wounded than have him tried
for a crime so base as treason. Now our plan is this. To-
morrow morning' at break of day we shall depart for the
jail at Ipswich. We shall arrive there before the officers.
We shall request the jailor to permit us to have a parting
interview with Thornton, and as he leads the way to
my brother’s cell, Uncle John is to secure him while I am
to take the keys and having liberated Thornton we shall
mount and fly.” “A bold plan my daring boy and God
grant that you may succeed ; but what is to become of your
Uncle John, left as he will be without a horse or any means
of escape that I can see,” said Mr. Elmwood. “I shall
take the liberty,” answered Power, “to knock the breath
out of the jailor’s body, and then I shall walk out in pre-
cisely the same manner as I walked in. I can take care
of myself so never fear for me.” “I declare cousin John,”
12
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
exclaimed Joseph, “You are just one of those people whom
nothing can appall and you rush into danger with as much
sang-froid as the rest of us would go to dinner.”
The night wore on and not one of the inmates of that
room retired to rest, for they were all anxiously maturing
the plans for the escape of their imprisoned relative.
About midnight every appearance of a storm disappeared.
The dark clouds rolled away from the moon’s bright face
and as her silvery beams shown through the casement and
lighted up the room a ray of hope illumined the grief
darkened heart of Stanly, for like all imaginative and en-
thusiastic persons he was not entirely free from supersti-
tious fancies, and he now regarded this sudden change in
the face of nature as an omen of success.
At earliest dawn Power and Stanly departed to per-
form their bold and hazardous undertaking. As they
mounted and rode off, Abram who had led their horses to
the door and wished them every good fortune in the best
English he could command, now looked after them and
cursing them deeply in his native tongue for keeping “old
Shir,” up all night, hitched up his inexpressibles and en-
tered the house. To judge from reported appearances
Abram had not then patronized the convenient fashion
of wearing suspenders but whether he cased his limbs in
as many garments as his countrymen whom Irving has
described tradition has not informed us.
He hastened to the sitting room and was making his
report when Mr. Elmwood interrupted him with “And did
Jim Reilly go with them as I directed.” “He is just put-
ting the saddle on Brown Bess and will overtake them in
five minutes,” answered the old Dutchman as he turned
to leave the room.
“Yes that he will,” said Robert who was dosing by the
fire but who was aroused at the name of his favorite horse.
“Yes, that he will, for she is as gentle as a lamb and as
fleet as a roe-buck so never fear for him.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
13
Chapter iii.
Within a prisoner’s narrow cell
O’er which close guard they keep,
On a hard couch a manly heart
Is hushed in quiet sleep.
The bright sun of a clear spring morning shone through
the grated window of a cell in Ipswich jail and threw its
rosy light on the pale features of a young man who was
quietly sleeping on his narrow but far from comfortless
couch. One could have seen at a glance that an attempt
had been made to render this dreary abode as comfortable
as possible. A table at the foot of the bed was covered
with various books, and on an open Bible lay a small bou-
quet of fading flowers culled doubtless from the monthly
rose bushes and other house plants of some gentle and kind
hearted maiden. As the brilliant rays rested a moment
on the sleeper’s face, in whom my readers have of course
recognized the elder Stanly, he opened his eyes and gaz-
ing for a moment wildly around, quickly sprang up and
began to make a hasty but yet careful toilette. He was
a young man of some twenty-five years, of a slight but
firmly knit frame, and the whole contour of his head and
features would have been noble in the extreme had it not
been for a strange expression of hauteur and scorn that
was sometimes observable in his deep black eyes, and in
the sarcastic smile of his finely shaped lips.
The jailor appearing with his breakfast made a kind en-
quiry for his health, some casual remark on the beauty of
the morning, and then adding that the carriage would
probably soon arrive, he relocked the door of the cell and
left the inmate to partake his morning meal in silence and
alone. He appeared to relish his repast with quite as
much appetite as if no threatening cloud hung over his
head. After he had finished doing ample justice to the
substantial viands of the breakfast tray he took from his
pocket a small gold watch to which was attached a heavy
golden chain where amid the seals was seen suspended a
richly jeweled ring so small that it could but have graced
the taper fingers of some lovely dame. Having carefully
wound up this little time-telling companion he fixed his
4
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
eyes upon its face and his features wore a deeper look of
anxiety than had yet appeared upon them. He seemed
to be waiting for some long expected moment for though
he had appeared calm and resigned during his imprison-
ment it was rather in the sure hope of a rescue at last by
his friends than of an acquittal by his country should he
once be placed at the bar, for though innocent he well
knew what very slight evidence he could adduce to prove
the important fact. His eye and cheek grew bright as he
heard steps in the passage for he confidently supposed it
to be his deliverers as in the many interviews he had had
with his numerous friends while in prison strong hopes of
escape had always been held out to him until he was all
but sure of the certainty of the event. But when the bolts
were withdrawn and the door slowly opening, displayed
not his deliverers (for his brother’s plan detailed in the
preceeding chapter had been made known to him), but
the strange faces and official dresses of the officers who
were to be his escort to Boston. A livid paleness over-
spread his features and his agitation was plainly visible;
but in an instant he was again self possessed, conscious if
one plan failed, his daring brother would adopt another
and more successful one, And if the servants of the law
noticed his momentary embarrassment, they most prob-
ably attributed it to any cause save the right and courte-
ously attending him to the carriage in waiting, they soon
left the prison behind and were on their way to Boston.
Thornton Stanly had had the misfortune to lose his
father in early youth and therefore had been left with his
younger brother Benjamin to the guidance of a good, but
perhaps too fond mother. Neither of the boys had ever
known anything of paternal discipline and having been
cast while very young into the world’s great theatre, they
had begun to act for themselves before they were suffici-
ently experienced to avoid the many snares that are ever
placed to entrap the unwary, and though far from being
dissipated they were often rash and thoughtless.
A distant relative in the West Indies had recently died
and on opening his will it was ascertained that a part of
his fortune had been bequeathed to Thornton Stanly, who
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
15
was immediately informed of the fact by his kinsman’s
executor. This occurred during our war with England in
1812. Notwithstanding the danger he. fitted out a small
vessel in order to proceed to Cuba; but unfortunately he
incurred the suspicions of some person in power who from
some trifling circumstance suspected him of holding secret
intercourse with some British men-of-war anchored off our
coasts. It was even rumoured that he had caused fresh pro-
visions to be conveyed to them. He was closely watched
and had hardly left the harbour when he was followed and
captured. Knowing that all his papers would be seized and
having some of a private nature that he felt unwilling
to have exposed he thoughtlessly destroyed them and
having been observed, it was a most suspicious circum-
stance, and though perfectly innocent of the crime of
which he was accused, he was instantly arrested and thrown
into prison.
Should he have a trial there was but little hope of prov-
ing his innocence and both his brother and himself it would
seem trusted more to their own skilful devices than to the
Heavenly Protector of the innocent and hence the detailed
plan of escape had been determined upon.
The carriage had scarcely left the prison when Power
and young Stanly dismounted at the gate and learning
that Thornton had already gone they concealed every
appearance of disappointment and merely regretting their
misfortune in not being able to see him and bid him adieu
they mounted their horses and were turning away when
the good natured jailor begged their attention and kindly
reminded them, that as the carriage had been gone so
short a time and as the travelling was so very bad they
could easily overtake it, and without doubt the officers
would permit them at least a few words of farewell. Cour-
teously thanking him they turned about and putting spurs
to their horses they hastened to a small house at the far
part of the town belonging to Mr. Elmwood and to which
Jim Reilly had been directed to proceed there to await
further orders. This house was situated on the confines
of a large tract of land belonging to the same owner and
sometimes used as a pasture for cattle and horses which
1 6
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
he often had driven there in large droves, when they came
from the country, until he could profitably dispose of them
in some other way.
This domicil was inhabited by a woman of strong sense
and singular habits and of whose early life nothing what-
ever was known. She had resided there several years and
never appeared to grow an}' older; but the reason of that
might have been that she looked as old as she could when
she came to dwell in that lonely place. She lived entirely
alone, unless her pigs, her chickens and her old grey cat
could be called company and she appeared to be wholly
devoted to the interests of her landlord, indeed she seemed
to care for no human being but Mr. Elmwood or those
with whom he was in some way connected; but whether
this devotedness proceeded from the fact that he allowed
her rent free the little dwelling which she deemed her
castle and as much land around it as she pleased to have
cultivated or from some other cause none could tell; but
true it was she lived a sad and lonely life and yet she al-
ways served most cheerfully any of Mr. Elmwood’s people
when they came with or to take away his horned and four-
footed property. The name of this old dame was Judith
Wilson and on the eventful morning already named she
was seated at her wheel beside a blazing fire attentively
listening to many of the foregoing facts related with true
Irish pathos by no less a personage than Jim Reilly him-
self who had safely arrived some minutes before and hav-
ing made Brown Bess as comfortable as circumstances
would permit was now exerting all his loquacious powers
to entertain Mrs. Wilson and enlighten her as I have just
said upon Thornton Stanly’s gloomy affairs.
He was most comfortably seated in a rocking chair at
the opposite side of the fire place, occasionally helping
himself to a nicely wiped golden russet from a tray of that
fruit placed on a wooden block beside him. Jim Reilly
had all the quick wit and apparent simplicity so often ob-
servable in the natives of the Emerald Isle and he had
now been a member of Mr. Elmwood’s household for sev-
eral months. The year before, Robert Elmwood being in
Montreal, had rendered some trifling assistance to Jim’s
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
I 7
grandfather, an old Irishman in needy circumstances, who
having paid nature’s last debt a few days before young
Elmwood left Canada, his grandson having no tie to bind
him to his northern home and having been nurtured in a
United Irishman’s hereditary hatred to England he deter-
mined to follow his benefactor to this paradise of adventur-
ers, this home of freedom the Utopia of the oppressed and
so for some time he had been a supernumerary or sort of
horse-boy about the stables of the homestead.
“But tell me Jim,” said Mrs. Wilson continuing the con-
versation, “pray tell me, why did not Mr. Power let you
wait nearer the jail instead of sending you clear away up
here? They will sartinly catch him before he is half way
between there and this !”
“Don’t you believe any such thing,” returned Master
Reilly whose faith in Power’s prowess was not to be shaken,
“its myself knows Mr. Power and sure he’s stronger nor
any three men you’ll find in these parts.”
“Yes, yes ! I know he has great strength,” said Mrs.
Wilson, “but still ’tis such an awful daring thing, and only
think if they should chance to be too late, if Thornton
should be gone, what will they do then, can you tell me
that?”
“Well them mem I cannot,” replied Jim, “but I just sup-
pose its me thought mem, that they will be coming up
here and then its themselves will invint another bould plan
and outwit the divils of officers yet.”
“And is the young gentleman so very handsome,” in-
quired Judith, “and did a beautiful young lady his cousin
want to go into prison and let him escape in her clothes?”
“That’s it,” said Jim, “he’s as fine a chap as my two eyes
ever seen. I drove the old gentleman and lady over to
see him one day and I went into the cell with them and I
had a good look at him and a tall man he is with eyes
bright as the stars in a could night and hair for all the
world as black and shiny as a blackbird’s coat, and he’s a
proud, grand way of his own ; faith I don’t think the likes
of him was ever made to be hung at all at all, bad luck to
the theives that tuck him. Sure they might have known by
the look he had that he was a gentleman and above a small
i8
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
thing; but them chaps of the law never knows nothing,
and the lady mem, yes mem, she is his cousin and a born
beauty I hear tell with a bould heart in her bosom. Its little
she’d fear a prison so him she loved was out of it ; but
they say mem, its another one has his heart entirely; but
sure his beautiful cousin never heard of it, ’twould break
her heart they say. But mem, the saints be good to us
mem ! don’t you hear the tramp of horses, and Holy Mary
be near us’tis themselves, they’re riding for the bare life,"
cried Jim, as he sprang up and rushed to the door. “And
oh murther, murther ! Judith they have not got him, they
have not got him, oh what will we do?” It was indeed as
Jim declared, both Power and Stanly were approaching at
a rapid pace and in another moment they had dismount-
ed at Judith’s door and throwing their horses’ bridles into
Jim’s hand they entered the house without uttering a single
word, where Jim after securing their horses immediately
followed them. He found them moodily seated in front
of the fire while Judith stood leaning anxiously against
the window waiting for them to speak. Power was the
first to break silence, which he did with a loud oath and
“What is to be done now I should like to know. I don’t
much like being led up here a wild goose chase and I wish
people would plan matters better, before they select me to
execute them ; but something must be done and that right
soon so the quicker another plan is formed the better, for
you know as well as I do that Thornton must be rescued
before he reaches Boston if he is rescued at all, so you had
better look to it.” “Now may God have mercy upon me,”
said the almost distracted Stanly; “but as you say Uncle
John, something must be done immediately, I would I could
imagine what?” “Pardon me gentlemen,” said Mrs. Wil-
son coming forward and speaking for the first time since
their arrival. “Pardon me gentlemen for intruding my
poor opinion upon you, but you know the old saying that
two heads are better than one, and a woman’s advice may
sometimes be taken with advantage; but what I would say
is this. The carriage must or that is will probably pass
through Hamilton and Wenham on the way to Boston,
and you know that the travelling is so very bad that at
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
19
best, they can but get on very slowly. They will also be
obliged to stop at the tavern in Hamilton to rest their
horses; and I have been thinking that if Jim could but
reach there first and be there when your brother arrives
he has less wit than I have given him credit for if he can-
not find a way to speak to Mr. Stanly and bid him stop
at Wenham to which place you must hasten with all speed
and once in your own house you can certainly think of
and contrive some plan to secrete him or get him away by
the time he arrives.” “That is indeed a bright thought
of yours, Judith/’ said Benjamin Stanly, “if Jim could
only be at Hamilton in time.” “I will see to that,” returned
Mrs. Wilson, “I can tell him of a way across the hills, that
will enable him to reach there before your brother, for the
carriage road is as muddy as it can be, so they must proceed
but slowly while Jim will be able to pass almost dry-shod
across the path that I shall point out to him, and it is be-
sides several miles nearer. Now you have not a moment
to lose, mount your horses instantly and be gone.” “You
are indeed right,” said young Stanly and turning to Jim
who was leaving the room to see to the horses, he placed
a piece of gold in his hand, saying “if you succeed in
speaking to Thornton it shall never be forgotten. Then
again addressing Mrs. Wilson he added, “It is to you, my
good woman, that I must now trust to direct Jim how to
proceed.” “I will indeed do my best and now may God
bless you,” said the faithful creature as they stood together
a moment at her humble door. Then Power and Stanly
with a hasty farewell mounted and rode away, while Mrs.
Wilson took Jim into the house to give him the necessary
instructions for his present undertaking, a rather difficult
one it would seem for a lad of fifteen, but Jim as I have
already said hid a great deal of shrewdness under an ap-
pearance of rustic simplicity.
Ten minutes had hardly passed rapidly away ere Jim
Reilly issued once more from beneath Judith’s rustic roof;
but so metamorphosed that it would have been almost im-
possible for his daily companions to have recognized him.
His smart blue jacket had been laid aside for or covered
with a blue striped frock; his much prized jockey cap had
20
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
been replaced by a felt hat of a light cinnamon colour
and his well polished boots and plated spurs exchanged
for thick brogans of cow-hide. In his hand he flourished
a large oaken cudgel, to the top of which was suspended
a small bundle tied in a much worn handkerchief of blue
check. Where Mrs. Wilson had obtained so quickly all
the wearing apparel so necessary for this disguise may at
first appear a little strange; but it must be remembered
that her house was constantly the resort of the people in
Mr. Elmwood’s employ and they frequently left articles in
her care much more valuable than the garments which
she had now appropriated so unhesitatingly and conven-
iently to Master Reilly’s masquerading expedition. He
no longer looked the smart, frolic loving horse boy, but
a raw country lad or rather a simple Irish youth just land-
ed on our shores and with quick and elastic tread he soon
left Mrs. Wilson’s lonely abode far behind and proceeded
on his way to Hamilton with the pretended purpose of
obtaining employment on some of the farms in that vicin-
ity.
Chapter iv.
See, see close by, yon glitt’ring ball
Suspended from a sign-post tall,
And promising to man and beast
A downy bed and plenty’s feast.
The Inn or as it was ambitiously styled the Hotel, at
Hamilton was a square wooden building recently erected
and perfectly innocent of anything in the way of shade or
floral ornament if I except six tall poplar trees and one
poor lilac bush that stood in front of the house ; but a
stately sign-post towering towards the sky and supporting
a gilt ball of huge dimensions presented a most inviting
aspect to the weary traveller, for the good fare to be ob-
tained at the Golden Ball or Hamilton Hotel was a fact
well established and known for many miles around. An
obliging landlord and an exceedingly pretty bar-maid con-
tributed not a little to the popularity of the rustic inn
and it was the resort during the summer months of many
a dashing blade. Its bowling alley was unrivalled and the
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
21
shooting and angling in the neighborhood everything to
be desired. All these exterior advantages not to speak of
the bright eyes and attractions within doors were quite
enough to ensure favour in even a less enchanting region.
It was about nine o’clock on the morning already men-
tioned in the foregoing chapter, that the landlord and
hostler were standing idle at the front door of the Golden
Ball. There was a silence of a few minutes and then the
landlord who owned the high-sounding name of Douglass
thus addressed his companion.
“Well Jake, if this travelling continues much longer I
shall be fairly discouraged. A customer here would be
almost as strange an event as a customer at the ‘Red Cow’,
you remember the play you saw performed at the theatre
in Boston last winter. How long is it now Jake since you
took a sixpence for taking care of a gentleman’s horse?”
“Tarnation if I know,” answered Jake, “it’s a week or
morel sartinly believe; but then this here going can’t
last eternally so I say keep up good spirits and look for
better times. And by gosh ! Mr. Douglass, there’s some
sort of a traveller ; he’s no great shakes though by his
looks, but some profit is better than none so may be he’ll
call for something or other for he don’t walk nor look
altogether like a straggler though I must agree he is drest
allfired shabby.” These remarks of Mr. Jacob of the
Golden Ball were elicited by his observing our friend Mas-
ter Reilly who had “scorned,” to use his own phraseology,
“to let the grass grow under his feet,” and who had just
made his appearance proceeding leisurely along the high-
way, into which he had bounded from a by-path some
moments before and having taken breath he slowly ad-
vanced towards the house and with the most frank and
unsophisticated manner in the world bade Jake good
morning and innocently inquired the name of the place
and if that was the direct road to Boston. Mr. Jake po-
litely replied that the name of the place was Hamilton
and with equal urbanity assured him that if he followed
his nose he would probably in time arrive at Boston. The
acquaintance between these two worthies having thus com-
menced Jim familiarly seated himself upon a rudely con-
22
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
structed wooden bench beneath one of the front windows
and began to meditate upon the best method to ascertain
if he had been so unfortunate as to have arrived too late,
for he was enabled to pursue his conversation with the
hostler without reserve as the landlord had entered the
house when he saw Master Reilly approaching and was
soon busily engaged with the last week’s Salem newspaper.
“A fine day it is,” said Jim, addressing the hostler, and
beating about the bush as the saying goes, to ascertain
what he so much desired to know, “a fine day it is, but it
isn’t much custom you can be having with these dirty
roads.” “Oh yes,” returned Jake, “the day’ll do well
enough ; all we want is a good wind to dry up the mud.”
“True for you,” continued Master Reilly, “the roads are
bad entirely and its me thought that but few coaches or
carriages or anything of the kind pass this way at all for
the place looks real lonesome like.”
“Not so lonesome as you take it for,” retorted Jake in-
dignantly, “the stage passes this way once a week and
no longer than yesterday a hack with two horses went by
on the way to Ipswich, it didn’t stop then to be sure, but I
guess it will to-day for Squire Langton said ’twas going
to get that feller that is in the jail there for feeding the
British and carry him on to Boston to have his trial, and
the Squire said he guessed they’d be back to-day and if
they do come I reckon they’ll want to stop and rest their
horses for the goin is twice as bad to-day because the
ground is thawed more than it was yesterday.”
This was just the information that Jim wished to obtain,
so calling for a mug of cider and some crackers and cheese
he sat himself down to await patiently the arrival of the
expected coach and while leisurely but with much appar-
ent appetite he was discussing the refreshments which had
been placed before him he began with every appearance
of interest to enquire of Jake if he knew of anyone of the
neighboring farmers who was in need of help. Jake was
about replying to this simple question when his ear caught
the sound of wheels in the distance and everything was
forgotten in his anxiety to obtain a sight of the approach-
ing vehicle which he truly conjectured to be the long
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
23
looked for equipage and as he had predicted it drew up
before the door of the Golden Ball, where the landlord
stood waiting with polite attention to receive with his best
possible grace its official occupants, who quickly descend-
ed from the carriage and entered the house escorting
Stanly between them ; while the horses were speedily un-
harnessed and taken round to the stables to be groomed
in Mr. Jake’s best style.
For the first time that morning Jim’s heart beat wildly,
and for a moment something like a fear that he might not
be able to execute his commission weighed down his spirit.
But ere long a good opportunity offered for him to enter
the very room where Stanly was quietly seated at the fire
comfortably sipping a glass of wine and water in company
with one of the officers while the other was chatting un-
concernedly with the pretty bar maid. Jim’s quick eye im-
mediately observed that Stanly sat directly opposite a
good sized looking glass, and stepping to the fire he mod-
estly asked leave to light a cigar which he held in his hand.
The officer politely nodded assent when Jim bending to-
wards the fire dropped the cigar close to Stanly’s foot and
as he stooped to raise it he fixed his eyes for a moment
earnestly upon Stanly’s face and glanced towards the mir-
ror. That glance was enough for Stanly and his gaze was
instantly directed to the glass while Jim glided to a closed
door in the right direction and taking a piece of chalk
from his pocket he wrote hastily and unobserved by any-
one but Thornton, “Stop at your grandmother’s, Wenham,”
and instantly erased it. ’Twas the work of a moment.
He turned once more towards Stanly, exchanged another
speaking glance and left the house. The prisoner found
no difficulty in persuading the officers to allow him to stop
at Wenham just long enough to bid his aged grandmother
adieu for they passed directly in front of her door. In-
deed they never so much as dreamed he could have an
idea of escape so resigned did he appear and so certain
did they feel that he had determined to meet his trial and
trust in the justice of God and his own innocence.
In the old homestead at Wenham there was a large long
room, with deep recesses in each window and a broad old
24
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
fashioned fireplace in which blazed a cheerful wood fire
on the morning of which we have been speaking. In one
corner of the room stood an eight-day clock cased in a
richly carved mahogany frame, the golden hands of which
were now pointing to the hour of ten. At one side of the
hearth sat an old lady* of some seventy years, with pleas-
ing delicate features and a form but slightly bowed by age
and infirmity, indeed hers seemed to be a green old age
although a shade of sadness just now seemed to deepen
the wrinkles in her aged cheeks By her side sat a lady
of dignified manners whose face at this moment was
thoughtful and even sad, though one would hardly have
supposed who gazed steadfastly on her features that such
was their natural expression but rather that of good tem-
pered cheerfulness and that an anxious and sorrowing heart
now gave them the troubled look they wore. And such
was indeed the truth. Her age might have been forty-
five, her dress was scrupulously neat and tastefully arranged
and she looked what she unquestionably was an ami-
able and well-bred woman. Standing at one of the win-
dows and gazing earnestly into the distant carriage road
was a lady of nearly the same age and as neatly though
not quite as fashionably arrayed as the matron seated at
the fire by the side of the aged dame. She, too, looked sad
and anxious though perhaps less so than either of her
companions. She continued standing at the window for
a few moments longer and then approached the fire
and quietly seating herself she remarked in a low, sad tone.
“They surely cannot have gone on to Boston the other way.
I was so certain they would take this direction and stop
here and after all it may be so now the travelling is so bad
that I should not be surprised if it was noon before they
arrived and I am sure I hope they will come for your sake
sister Stanly, and mother, too, seems very anxious to see
Thornton before his trial.” “Yes,” answered the old lady,
“for you know I am too advanced in years to go as far
as Boston, which both of you could do should they not
consent to his seeing us here, but I thought, Mary, that
^Probably Mrs. Dorcas (Emerson) Porter, widow of Dr. Tyler Por-
ter of Wenham. She was a sister of Thomas Emerson of Topsfield.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
25
your husband and Benjamin went last night to brother
Tom’s so as to be at Ipswich early this morning?” “So they
did, mother,” returned Mrs. Power,* “but they told me
nothing of their plans nor did they do so to any one but
Helen, who has as yet communicated nothing of the kind
to me.”
While this conversation was taking place in the parlour,
in the door-wav of a sort of portico at the back of the
house stood a maiden of perhaps eighteen years. Though
one must be possessed of rare skill to portray beauty with
the pen, I cannot refrain from giving a faint idea at least
of the loveliness of this fair girl. She could not have been
called tall yet she was very slightly above the common
height of women. Her skin was clear and smooth yet it
could but have been likened to alabaster for her complex-
ion would have been decidedly that of a brunette had not
her eyes been blue, the dark blue of a starry night, and
they were shaded too by the longest and most beautiful
silken lashes in the wide world. Her hair was long, black
and glossy and bound about her classic head in rich thick
braids and her arched and curved lips were full of health
and beauty. Her form was rounded and full tending a little
perhaps to embonpoint but yet beautiful in its contour
and every movement displayed its symmetry and grace.
The expression of her face betokened a heart susceptable
of the strongest feelings, for Helen Power possessed much
of her father’s daring and obstinate character and occasion-
ally a look so stern that it was almost masculine seemed to
flash from her dark and brilliant eyes as she stood now
leaning in a thoughtful and saddened mood against one of
the rude pillars of that rustic porch.
Near the door and within speaking distance sat an old
negroj* on a temporary seat placed beneath the wide
spreading branches of a gigantic elm. Poor old man ! he
had been blind many years and though he could now per-
*John Power may have been Jonathan Porter of Wenham, son of
Dr. Tyler and Dorcas (Emerson) Porter; and his daughter Harriet,
born in 1793, may have been the original of Helen. Jonathan Porter’s
sister Mehitable, born in 1761, married Ben. Shaw of Pembroke, N. H.,
and had Tyler, Jones, and Benjamin who settled in eastern Maine.
f Probably Pomp Porter who died in 1833, aged 82 years.
2 6
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
form but few services for those in whose house he had
been born; yet his heart was filled with love and gratitude
to them because they kindly cherished him in his misfor-
tune. Like all who are deprived of one sense he had cul-
tivated the others until they had become remarkably acute,
and his power of hearing was reall)' wonderful.
He had sat some time with his chin resting upon his
stick when he suddenly started and after listening atten-
tively for a moment he desired the maiden to come near-
er to him. She immediately obeyed and had no sooner
reached his side than Pomp exclaimed, “Gosh ! Missa
Helen, ony listen. Young Massa coming and somebody
with him, Mister Ben, I guess.” “Why Pomp, what do you
mean,” said Helen, “I can hear nothing.” “But I do,”
said Pomp, “I know the pace, ’tis Blackbird’s canter, they
are coming up acrost, the back way. Misse Helen ony look,”
and as he spoke two horsemen were seen rapidly approach-
ing by the foot path in the meadow and in a second they
had reached a small gate that led to the barns and out
houses and passing hastily through they entered a small
stable unseen by any eye but Helen’s who, with the swift-
ness of an arrow in its flight, darted forward and was quick-
ly at her father’s side.
It was an old and rather dilapidated building, which
had once been a cider house and now was seldom used
except occasionally to stable horses, when on some great
occasion such as a wedding or maybe a funeral, the stalls
in the other horse barn were all occupied. Old, worn-out
implements of husbandry were scattered around, and on
the whole it was a place into which no one ever thought
of entering. The door was ajar and Helen pushing it
open bounded forward and seized her father’s arm as he
was removing the bits from Blackbird’s mouth, for short
as the time had been the saddle was already on the ground.
Her face was flushed with excitement and she exclaimed
in a wild tone of disappointment, “Oh, father, where is
Thornton? Do not say you have not rescued him.” Her
father was about speaking when the younger Stanly ad-
vanced and taking her hand in his he spoke thus in a low,
quick tone. “Alas ! Helen, it is true we have not yet gained
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
27
our object, though we still hope to do so with a little of
your assistance ere he reaches Boston. Yes, my cousin, you
must aid us, so pray be calm and listen while I communi-
cate to you the plan we have hastily formed/' “I will, I
will.” exclaimed Helen, “for let him but be safe and I care
nothing for myself.” “Well, then,” continued Stanly, “you
must know that we have reason to expect that Thornton
will be here ere the world is an hour older. In the mean-
time you must send Pomp here with some grain for these
poor beasts; and see that no one else learns aught of our
return, and if you can do so without being observed bring
some refreshment for ourselves. For the rest of your task,
dear Hel en, may God aid and prosper you,” and he spoke
a few words in a low, earnest tone, to which she eagerly
listened. When he ceased speaking she turned to her
father and said, “You must, dear father, allow me to tell
mother of your return for I am sure we shall never suc-
ceed without her good counsel and assistance.” “Oh,
yes,” answered Power, “your mother and Pomp, but no
one else,” and then turning to Stanly he added, “Wife
will be calm though she should have to stand in the pres-
ence of twenty sheriffs ; but your mother and grandmother
cannot command their feelings quite so well ; so hasten,
Helen, and tell Pomp to bring the grain and your mother
to procure us something to eat and a flask well filled with
spirit for we shall want it in that infernal damp swamp be-
fore night, I can tell you.” Helen quickly obeyed and
having privately informed her mother how matters stood
and seen her pass quite unobserved into the old stable
bearing a basket filled with the required articles, she her-
self hastened to the parlour and kneeling affectionately
between her grandmother and aunt, she urged them with
downcast eyes and blushing cheeks to request the officers
to allow her a private interview of a few moments with
her cousin Thornton that she might bid him a humid adieu.
They smiled sadly as they pledged their words to do as
she wished and slightly rallied her upon her maiden bash-
fulness; she made no reply to the forced pleasantry of
their grief oppressed hearts, but arose and stood silently
at the window gazing anxiously into the distance and
28
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
straining her ear to catch the first sound of approaching
wheels.
The landscape was fair upon which she looked, yet she
did not mark its beauty for her soul was sad and her
thoughts were fixed upon the dark cloud that hung so
threatening over her much loved cousin’s life.
She had stood there pale and sorrowful for at least ten
minutes when she suddenly started and throwing up the
window she listened intently for a moment and then ex-
claimed, “I am certain I hear the sound of wheels and now
I see a carriage, yes, aunt, it is Thornton, so I will hasten
and tell mother that she may be at the door to receive
them and, oh, do not forget to ask his keepers to let me
speak to him alone if it is only for a single moment. I
will wait for him in the little room next this and as it is so
near they cannot surely object to his stepping in there
just long enough to say farewell,” and charging them again
and again to obey her behests she disappeared from the
room.
After a brief pause the carriage drew up before the front
door, at which Mrs. Power was standing to receive her
nephew, and saying a few words of kindly welcome she
led or rather preceded him, accompanied by one of the
officers into the presence of his sorrowing relatives, while
the other legal functionary remained behind like a faith-
ful sentinel to guard the door.
When I said no eye save Helen’s saw her father and
cousin enter the old dilapidated stable, I had forgotten to
mention an old house-dog, that was composedly reclining
in the sun not far from where old Pomp was sitting, and
as he saw his master enter this long neglected place he
lay for some time with his eyes fixed steadily upon the
door apparently endeavouring to imagine the cause of
such an unusual proceeding and as Helen returned towards
the house the sagacious animal arose, walked slowly up
to the door which she had neglected to close securely and
pushing it open he approached and thrust his huge muzzle
into his master’s hand. Power turned round and kindly
patting the dog on the head he gazed fixedly into his
large, bright, honest brown eyes and spoke to him as he
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
29
would have done to an intelligent human being. The noble
creature returned his master’s steadfast gaze and seemed
to read his very thoughts, and his sagacity was indeed
most strangely displayed that very day before the set of
sun and in such a manner too as to lead us to believe that
if the canine race cannot understand the words addressed
to them, they have oftentimes some other way of ascer-
taining the wishes of those to whom they are attached.
To be sure the dog in question was a most wonderful ani-
mal and had again and again proved both his sagacity and
fidelity. When a pup he had received the proud name of
Tyrone, in honor of the truly great and justly celebrated
Irish earl of that name. Power though never greatly at-
tached to books had once upon a time taken up a natural
history and amid the portraitures of every variety of the
canine race he fixed his attention upon the representation
of an Irish stag-hound of that ancient and now exceedingly
rare breed and saw or fancied he saw a great resemblance
between the well executed drawing and the four-footed
favourite at his side, and so he immediately decided upon
the high-sounding name already mentioned, but which had
long since been diminished into the less euphonious cog-
nomen of Ty ; and so Ty , for by that name he was best known
and therefore by that name must be immortalized in story,
after remaining a few moments longer by his master’s
side, turned quietly away and returning to his former sunny
resting place, he laid himself down to await, it would ap-
pear, for the coming events, which, if such a thing could
be possible, had seemed in his mind to have cast their
shadows before.
30
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
Chapter V.
This was her sanctum, here she sat
And read, and thought and sometimes sigh’d ;
And here she conn’d old ballads o’er
As she her busy needle ply’d.
The swamp they said was nine miles long
Beside three good miles wide ;
Nor could a better place be found
For fugitives to hide.
The room into which Helen Power had thus hastily re-
tired, was the smallest apartment in the mansion and par
ticularly appropriated to herself and in one of her playful
moods she had termed it her boudoir, a name which it
ever afterwards retained. Her fair hands had decorated
it in such a manner as to evince a taste which, had she
figured in a higher rank of life, would have rendered her
noted for her graceful costume and luxurious surroundings.
The floor was painted in different coloured squares in im-
itation, I suppose, of the tessellated halls of ancient times,
and in several places it was covered with mats of Helen’s
own workmanship. Placed beneath one of the tables, two
low stools wrought in tent-stitch, one representing a bright
green parrot with staring eyes and the other a basket of
fruit and flowers, gave evidence of her skill in needle-craft,
while over the fire-place hung a large map of the world
with an inscription at the top declaring it to have been
executed by H. P., aged 13 years. Over an arm chair
that stood in a recess at one side of the chimney, hung a
piece of embroidery sacred to the memory of some long
deceased relative, another proof of the fair Helen’s ac-
complishments, while above the well-polished desk of black
walnut hung a large water-coloured drawing of some once
stately but now ruined monastery, the chef d't oeuvre of all
our heroine’s performances. Upon this desk her little
library was neatly arranged and her favourite writers really
did credit to the young lady’s literary taste. And Rich-
ardson, Ann Ratcliff, Miss Porter and Miss Burney7 might
have felt not only pleased but flattered had they known
the delight with which that rustic maiden had poured with
beating heart and beaming eye over the pages of Sir
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
31
Charles Grandison, the Mysteries of Udolpho, the Scottish
Chiefs, and Evelina. A small work-table stood beneath a
looking glass that hung between two long, narrow windows
that nearly reached the ground. These windows looked
into a small parterre of flowers to which Helen in summer
devoted much of her time. Two tall, white rose bushes that
were trained against the side of the house, when adorned
with their leafy treasures afforded this little sitting-room a
fresh and delightful protection from the sun’s hot rays
rendering quite useless the fringed curtains that now hung
in snowy purity before those old fashioned and rickety
casements. Helen was seated in a low and cushioned
chair beside her little work-table, one hand supported her
fair cheek while the other hung listlessly by her side. By
the swaying of the curtain to and fro it could easily be
perceived that the window near which she sat was wide
open. She sat there still and motionless as a statue save
when she turned one of her anxious glances towards the
door leading into the adjoining room from whence the
sound of several voices in the low tones of earnest con-
versation were faintly heard. At length the door gently
opened and as gently closed and Thornton Stanly stood
before her. She started and turned pale as death, but she
spoke firmly though hardly above her breath. “Be quick,
Thornton, you have not a moment to lose, throw off your
coat and leap from this window,” as she spoke she raised
the curtain and fastened it securely above her head. “Throw
off your coat I say, leap from this window and fly to the
swamp. Ben is waiting for you at the alders behind the
garden. Now do not hesitate but fly; it is, they say, your
only chance of safety.” She had hardly spoken ere his
richly braided garment was cast upon the floor and press-
ing Helen one moment to his heart and imprinting a kiss
more of gratitude than love upon her now burning cheek
he sprang through the window and fled with the speed of
a hunted deer through the garden. Helen stood for an
instant unconscious of everything in the world but her
cousin’s passionate embrace; but quickly collecting her
scattered thoughts she noiselessly closed the window and
lowered the curtain, then raising up the cast off garment
32
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
she concealed it in a dark closet. After locking the door
she quitted the room and with tiptoed steps ascended the
stairs and entered a chamber from one of the windows of
which she could easily witness the scene enacting without.
She had hardly reached and softly opened the casement
when she beheld Thornton, followed by his brother, emerge
from behind the alders and with the speed of lightning
take the path leading towards the swamp. In hot pursuit,
a few steps behind, was the officer who had been left to
guard the door, and who had instantly recognized Stanly
as he saw him leap the garden wall without hat or coat
and continue his daring and unlooked for flight. With a
loud shout to his companion, who in the parlour was much
too busily engaged with a cold chicken and a decanter of
Madeira to hear such a sudden and unexpected summons,
the officer darted after the fugitives and was fast gaining
upon them when Power himself appeared from behind a
clump of trees and seizing the legal functionary with the
same ease and good will that a tiger would have pounced
upon a lamb, he held him with one hand while with the
other he snapped his sword in twain as though it had been
a fragile hazel twig and casting it from him with the most
provoking coolness he pressed his struggling prisoner in
his arms in a most suffocating embrace and retained him
in that enviable situation until he imagined he had given
the fugitives ample time for a fair start. Then casting his
thoroughly affrighted burden on the ground, with such
force as for a time to render him entirely senseless, not
only to tiger-like embraces but to all the other ills of life,
he looked around him with inimitable composure and with
long but not over hasty strides followed the path that
the brothers had already taken.
Leaving the fugitives to pursue their flight and the offi-
cial dignitary to recover his breath and his senses we will
return to the gentleman in the parlour, who sat convers-
ing with old Mrs. Power and her ladylike daughter and
waiting with the utmost patience for the lovers, as he im-
agined them to be, to finish their interview. But as Stanly
did not reenter the room after some fifteen or twenty
minutes had elapsed, the officer arose and turning to the
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
33
ladies he remarked in a tone of some surprise, “That inter-
view seems somewhat of the longest. I believe I must re-
mind them how quickly the time is passing,” and he ap-
proached the door from which Stanly had so recently
made his exit and tapped gently upon the panel ; but not
receiving any answer he gave a louder rap and hearing no
reply he threw it wide open and his fear and amazement
was extreme to find it tenantless. “There is no one here,
he has escaped,” he wildly exclaimed and rushed from the
house. He flew towards the stable to which the horses
had been taken and where they were now comfortably
eating a feed of oats while the coachman, whom Pomp had
taken it upon himself to entertain, was luxuriously reclin-
ing upon a mow of hay sipping a glass of punch of his
entertainer’s own skilful mixture and listening with pat-
ronizing urbanity to the wise remarks of that sable worthy.
Both sprung to their feet as the officer entered with the
astounding intelligence of the prisoner’s escape and the
peremptory order for the coachman to follow and aid him
in endeavouring to discover the direction that the prisoner
had taken in his flight. “Well, now, if ever,” exclaimed
Jehu, addressing Pomp, after draining at a draught the
smoking compound he held in his hand and deliberately
depositing the empty glass upon a wooden block beside
him. “Well, now, if ever I did hear the beat of that; as
though it wasn’t enough for me to take care of my horses
without being called on to attend to his business. But I’ll
do all I can to help find the chap for if he isn’t found I
guess it will go thundering hard with them that had the
charge of him.” Speaking thus he quitted the stable and
left Pomp to his own reflections.
He had hardly joined the officers ere they perceived
approaching, with a most crestfallen air, the poor fellow
who had been so roughly treated by Power. As he drew
near he exclaimed in a tone more of “sorrow than of
anger,” at the same time exhibiting his broken weapon,
“Where have you been, and what have you been about to
let your charge escape in this manner? We shall be
court martialed tomorrow if we cannot recapture him, and
that villainous Power is twice more deserving a prison and
34
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
a halter than the one he has aided to escape. He darted
upon me like a hawk upon a chicken and seized me with
about as much ease, and after snapping my sword in two
and throwing it aside, he held me in his giant-like grasp
till I could hardly breathe. I might as well have been in
a vice; and not satisfied with all this he at last threw me
upon the ground with such force as to knock all the breath
from my body. I have but this moment recovered and
how long I have been lying there senseless is more than
I can tell.” “All this has taken place,” answered his com-
panion, “in less than thirty minutes, and we must now ob-
tain as much assistance as possible and instantly pursue
them.” “That will not be quite as easily done as you
suppose, for they fled towards the swamp* and are by this
time pretty safe. They will not be soon discovered amid its
many intricate and scarcely discernable pathways; but we
must, as you say, hasten to do all in our power to recap-
ture them.”
That day a great part of the male population of Wen-
ham seemed suddenly to have disappeared and the few
who remained were from their own account very far from
being the hardy and able-bodied men which from their
looks one would have judged them to have been. One
man had gone to market, another to mill, while a third
was in the woods, others had been suddenly called away
on business, pressing and unlooked for, etc., etc. One
stout, rosy fellow sat with his foot placed carefully in a
chair having most unfortunately a few hours before been
awkward enough to sprain his ankle, while another robust
young farmer sturdily declared himself to be dreadful
lame with the rheumatiz.
But at last, after much delay, a small company of about
fifteen persons were collected together and took their
way towards the swamp to do their best to discover the
fugitives and reap a golden harvest as their reward, for
*Wenham swamp covers about 2000 acres and extends to the
Ipswich river. It is thickly wooded and even at the present time
provides a secure shelter for many wild animals. Mrs. Holmes’ hus-
band once joined a party that spent many weary hours searching for
a man lost in this swamp.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
35
the officers had been most liberal in their promises of a
generous remuneration for their services, particularly in
the event of their success.
As they were passing Power’s door, Ty, who was keep-
ing guard upon the threshold, arose and instead of salut-
ing them with bark or growl appeared to content himself
by taking a general survey of the whole group. As he did
so one of the party turning towards the officers remarked
that it might not be amiss to take the dog with them as
he was noted for his quick scent and true and deep-toned
cry. This plan being unanimously agreed upon they
whistled for the dog to follow them as they hastened on
their way and Ty, contrary to his usual custom, instantly
obeyed the unfamiliar call and with loud and joyous bark
darted forward and took the lead towards the swamp,
Wenham swamp was then, and continues to be at the
present day, a perfect labyrinth of intricate and circuitous
pathways scarcely perceptable to the practiced eye of the
experienced hunter, and none but a hardy woodsman would
even care to venture there without a trusty guide unless,
perchance, some fair Ariadne of modern times should pre-
sent him with a clue of thread of virtue equal to that so
celebrated in Grecian story. A thing, however, not very
probable ; particularly as the ladies of the present age have
frowned upon and quite discarded the old fashioned ac-
complishment of spinning. But what might prove a
difficult task to one totally unacquainted with the mazy
windings of that marshy wilderness was a matter of com-
parative ease to the three fugitives who were perfectly well
acquainted with its most secret recesses, having hunted
there more or less every season, from their earliest years.
Being passionately attached to the hardy and manly pas-
time of the chase they had often passed days and even
weeks together in the pursuit of game and in exploring
each hidden nook of that intricate and dismal spot.
It is not, therefore, a matter of much surprise that they
should have thus easily eluded their pursuers, not a single
one of whom knew enough of the place to serve as a guide,
for, as I have before remarked, every man in Wenham who
could have made himself useful in this capacity had either
36
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
strangely disappeared or had been suddenly disabled by
some unfortunate accident from assisting in the search.
The pursuit, however, continued till the starry lamps of
eve began to gem the clear blue sky, when fearful of lose-
ing their way in the gloom of night, the pursuers gave the
concerted signal and collected together, weary and dispirit-
ed with traversing to no purpose the cold and marshy
ground of the damp swamp, and directed their heavy steps
homeward. Ty still remained one of the group and with
outstretched tongue and panting breath really appeared
to be more fatigued than any of the party. “Just look at
that dog,” said one of the men, addressing the officers by
the side of whom he was walking. “Just look at that in-
farnal beast. I sartinly b’leve it is Satan himself. He has led
us a pretty chase. We should have gained our end and
catched ’em all jest as sure as anything, if it hadn’t have
been for him. The plaguy critter kept us goin on the wrong
track the whole time. I see it all now, as plain as day. I
wonder I didn’t think more ont at the time. And I ain’t
the only one that thinks so, nuther. No, not by a iug full.
More than once I was all but sure that I had a glimpse of
one of them, when mister four-legged devil there put his
nose right into the ground and began to sniff like all nater
and then he started off as quick as lightning another way,
and I was fool enough to follow him. I ought to have
known he’d never have helped us catch his own master,
though how a dumb beast can have sech a thundering
sight of cunning and be so tarnal knowing, is more than I
can tell.”
This serious assertion was received with a hearty laugh
by both the officers and it was several seconds ere they
replied, “Why, you cannot suppose that that poor animal
can understand anything about the nature of the present
case?”
“Yes, but I do, though,” returned the fellow with great
earnestness of manner. “I kinder suspected him all the
time. I couldn’t help thinking it was strange when I see
him come so quick when we whistled for him. I never
knew him to foller anybody before, but his master or
some of his master’s folks. He come with us on pur-
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
37
pose to mislead us, don’t you think so, Jed?” said he,
turning to a tow-headed, freckled-faced fellow in a short
blue frock who, with several others, had approached at the
sound of the laughter and were now listening eagerly to
their companion’s strange narration.
“Yes,” answered the tow-headed worthy, “I sartenly think
so now and I had some misgivings then, on’y I couldn’t see,
nor I can’t see now, how a dog can have such an all-fired
sight of deception and understand things as regular as hu-
man creturs do ; but this is the solemn truth, he cheated us
jest exactly as he did you. You see, jest arter we got into
the swamp, I thought I heard a sort of rustling noise jest
like somebody moving bushes kind of easy, and Mose Dyer
and I was just starting to see what it was when Ty, who
was close to us as I am now, sartin heard it jest as plain
as we did, stuck his nose rite down on the ground, and
smelling along a little spell, all at once give a bark loud
enough to skeer twenty raccoons, and started off on a dif-
ferent track from where we heard the noise ; and he has
served almost all on us the same way and we was fools
enough to follow him. If he had only served one or two
of us so I should not think so much of it, but since we’ve
got out of the swamp I’ve heard he has been acting jest so
the whole arternoon and played pretty much the same
trick on almost all on us. If he hadn’t a coller on I’d
shoot him as sure as my name is Jed Bixby.”*
However difficult it was to persuade the agents of the law
of Tv’s sagacious and successful stratagem, it seemed to be
regarded by the rest of the party as an undoubted fact. Nor
could they help observing that the faithful creature ap-
peared to feel that ease of mind that ever follows a duty
well pefrormed. He trotted quietly on his homeward way,
hardly deigning to notice, as he passed, the cats in the
window-sills and door steps, although with elevated backs
they spit at him in that particularly spiteful manner so
peculiar to the feline race. He took not the slightest
notice of the insults he received ; he was in a most philo-
sophic mood ; he seemed to feel that he had accomplished
a great object ; that he had nothing more to do at present,
*Bixby has been a common name in Topsfield and vicinity.
38
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
at least. He, therefore, returned home with a heart at
peace with all created things and having allayed his thirst
at the horse trough, which seemed to have been filled with
fresh water for his especial accommodation, he sought his
treasure-house of hidden bones and after partaking of a
substantial repast repaired to his kennel beside the back
porch and laid himself down to repose, his last waking
thought being probably the proud and triumphant one of
having outwitted fifteen men.
It was about ten o’clock at night, the search for the
fugitives had been suspended until the coming morn, when
a single horseman crossed the narrow causey* between
Topsfield and Wenham and spurring his horse hastily for-
ward soon reached a thick grove of pines that ornamented
one side of the road. He was a man in the prime of life,
and his bold and manly bearing, united to his matchless
horsemanship, proclaimed him one of Nature’s unmistak-
able nobles. He reined up his horse at the entrance of the
thicket and whistled low and cautiously. The next instant
a man emerged from a covert of bushes leading three
horses by their bridles.
“Well, Abram,” said the horseman, “have you heard
nothing of them? This is certainly the place that Helen’s
note requested us to repair to. There can be no mistake,
can there?” But ere the old man could reply, the sound
of feet, stepping softly along the damp ground, was heard
and the three fugitives appeared, travel-worn and weary,
their clothes covered with mud and torn in various places.
“Indeed, cousin Joseph,! this is very kind in you,” said
Thornton, who was the first to speak, “and pray tell us
have you been able at such short notice to find us a place
of refuge? Any shelter, so it be but a safe one, will be
prized by us after such a day as this has been.”
“Come, make haste and mount,” said Joseph Elmwood,
in a cheerful and encouraging tone, “and I will guide you to
a place of safety, if nothing more. Power knows the ground
well, for he has visited it many a time and oft in his cattle
*Known as “Wenham Casey” as early as 1659 and still a causeway
and the road between Wenham and Topsfield.
fjoseph Emerson, the father of the authoress.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
39
trading and hunting expeditions. The devil himself would
never think of looking for you in the domicil of good old
Stephen Peters and his thrifty and labour-loving wife.”
“Money-loving, you had better say,” interposed Power,
who was just preparing to mount a strong, rough looking
carriage horse, without any other furniture than a rude
bridle and a folded blanket girded upon his back instead
of a saddle, and the horses of his two young relatives were
caparisoned in exactly the same unpretending manner.
“Are saddles so scarce in your parts, Jo, that you can
equip your steed with nothing better than these ragged
blankets? And this infernal beast, too, has a hide as
rough as a buffalo’s, while Ben and Thornton’s horses look
as though they had been rubbed down with silk handker-
chiefs for the last six hours.”
“You can see wonderfully well, by star-light,” said Elm-
wood, laughing. “We feared your Herculean limbs would
crush a common horse and so we sent and had old stout-
foot fed and curried for your especial accommodation;
and as to the blankets, I intend to turn all three of
the horses into the Hovey fields after you have dismount-
ed at Peters’ door. So you see saddles and martingales
would be in the way. We must be cautious, you know.
I have always heard, and begin to believe, that discretion
is the better part of valor.”
“Well ! well !” cried Power, “all I hope is, that old skin-
flint Peters’ wife will give us something to eat. If she at-
tempts to starve me, I’ll have her roasted, the old sinner,
on her own hearthstone. But where is Abram? He
must not walk home. I’d rather do it myself, although
I’m not and never was much of a foot-pad.”
“Many thanks for your disinterested and philanthropic
intentions,” said Joseph Elmwood, “but you are saved
from doing such penance, for this night, at least. Shut is
waiting in a cross road not far from here with a horse and
wagon and the old Dutchman will find him soon if he has
not already done so and they will both be sound asleep
in their beds ere I reach home, I daresay.”
They now urged their horses to their utmost speed and
thus rode on for several miles without speaking, until Elm-
40
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,,
wood, who acted as guide, turned from the highway ?nto
a narrow and grass-grown lane* and passing through a
pair of bars, already down, entered with his companions a
dark wood of oak and maple. Pausing for some seconds
to take breath and continuing their way at a slower pace,
Elmwood resumed the conversation by turning to Thorn-
ton and bidding him in a merry tone to beware of the
fascinations of the fair Betsy, the only child of Farmer Peters
and the undoubted heiress of all his worldly wealth.
“An heiress did you say/’ said Benjamin Stanly, speak-
ing now for the first time during their ride. “Well, if she
is pretty, ’twill at all events make the time we must pass
there appear a little less dull, if nothing more.”
“You had better take care how you manage, my worthy
friend,” said Power, “for though the girl herself may be
an affable little divil enough, her mother is a regular fury,
with an eye like a hawk and — but, no matter, don’t attempt
to strike upon a flirtation there, that is my advice. All I
hope is, that the young woman may prove a good cook
and the old one less niggardly than report allows; but no
more of this for here we are,” and as he spoke they
emerged from the wood and crossing a little ford found
themselves in front of a comfortable looking farm housef
situated in the sheltered nook of a little valley surrounded
by high hills and altogether one of the most out of the
way and complete hiding places in the whole world. A
venerable old man, with white hair, stood at the door to
receive them. Joseph Elmwood seeing them at last in
safety, and the horses turned loose into a pasture of his
own near by, put his gallant bay once more to his mettle
and reached home as it were with a bound.
*The private road or way that leaves Haverhill Street, Topsfield,
on the left, soon after crossing Gallop’s bridge on the way to George-
town. This formerly led to the Stephen Perley house beside Pye
brook.
■f-The Stephen Perley house destroyed by fire in 1867.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
41
Chapter VI.
Around the earth still night had thrown
Her mantle dark and drear,
But in the sky unnumbered stars
Were shining bright and clear.
There was, at the time of which I am writing, in the now
rich and populous town of Danvers, one of those comfort-
able old farm-houses so rapidly disappearing from the
land. It stood some hundred yards from the high road,
surrounded on all sides by fertile meadows and highly
cultivated uplands. A stately grove of noble oaks reared
their lofty heads in the background while in front of the
mansion a clear bright stream wound through the adjoin-
ing fields.
The out-buildings were all in good repair and a small
dwelling had been erected near by for the especial
accommodation of labourers employed on the domain.
Everything around denoted a careful and thrifty if not an
opulent landholder and the whole had an air of comfort
and respectability that well compensated for its deficiency
in fashionable elegance.
It was near nine o’clock in the evening, a day or two
after the events recorded in our last chapter, and the master
of the above named mansion was about retiring to rest.
He was a man near forty years of age and above the
middle height, with the breadth of chest and squareness
of proportion which ever indicates great physical strength.
His stern features, bronzed by weather and exposure,
were well formed and the frank expression of his counten-
ance was prepossessing in the extreme. He had laid aside
his coat and vest and now stood in his loose trousers of
grey cloth, gazing with a fond and paternal look upon two
fair-haired little girls who were sleeping in a cot at one
corner of the room. He bent down his head and imprint-
ed a kiss on each blooming cheek, then turning to his
wife, a good looking matron about his own age, who was
sitting in a low nursery chair lulling to sleep their young-
est hope, another little girl of some ten months old, he
42
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
said, “Well, Hester, the law hounds have left us in peace
at least; yet it is strange they have not thought of looking
for him here. They have searched father’s house twice
and ransacked the domicils of every one of his tenants far
and near.”
So spoke Thomas, the second son of our old friend Mr.
Elmwood,* but he had hardly uttered the above words of
self congratulation ere the sound of horses trotting brisk-
ly was heard and a moment after three men mounted and
armed crossed the little bridge in front of the house and
stopping before the front door one of them rapped loudly
upon it with the head of a heavy riding whip.
“Well, wife, here they come after all. I was wishing
myself joy for our escape too soon,” he exclaimed in a
tone of pique. “And here they are thundering at the
door there; they will certainly wake the children. Give
me the light.” He took the candle from his wife’s hand
and descending the stairs, he threw wide the door and de-
manded with a calm, but stern voice if they had any busi-
ness with him, or for what cause they had honored him
at that time of night with their company. Meanwhile his
better half, with that earnest thirst for knowledge said to
be so peculiar to our sex, quietly placed the sleeping in-
fant on the bed and gently opening the entry window lent
an attentive ear to the following dialogue.
“I am very sorry,” said he, who appeared to be the chief
of the party, addressing Mr. Elmwood, “I am very sorry
to put you to any inconvenience, Sir, and still more so to
disturb the repose of your family, but I feel assured that
you are too good a citizen to obstruct a legal warrant for
the arrest of a traitor to his country, however nearly ah
lied to you he may be by the ties of friendship or of
blood.”
“Then, if I understand aright,” said Elmwood, “you are
in pursuit of my cousin Thornton Stanly, who, if I have
been informed correctly, escaped from prison several days
since.”
*Capt. Thomas Emerson, a brother of Billy Emerson of Topsfield,
lived in that part of Danvers which is now the city of Peabody. He
owned a large farm previously the property of Richard Derby, the
Salem merchant. Captain Emerson died in 1814, aged 46 years.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
43
“It is true,” answered the sheriff, “he has indeed given
ns the slip and we have been instructed to search every
place where there is the least probability of his being con-
cealed.”
“Well, gentleman,” returned Elmwood, in a frank and
truthful tone, “my children are asleep and my wife is not
the most courageous woman in the world, so, if you please,
I had much rather they should not be disturbed, but I will
pledge you my word as a gentleman and man of honor
that the persons of whom you are in search are not now
and have not been for many months under my roof. I
have, however, one communication to make to you to
which you may perchance attach some importance. Some
one last night entered my stable and took from it two of
the smartest horses in the United States, and by this time,
the riders, if they took that direction, may be half way to
Canada.”
“Ah ! this is important information, indeed,” said the
sheriff. “Will you have the goodness to describe the
horses that we be enabled the more easily to trace them.”
“Willingly,” said Mr. Elmwood, with a peculiar smile
which a shrewd observer would have noticed. “One of
them was a dark chestnut thoroughbred with long shag-
gy fetlocks; he had not a spot or blemish about him; my
brother brought him from Quebec not two years ago and
if his value was in question, four hundred dollars would
not purchase him. The other was an iron grey, strong
and fleet enough for anything. She was bred somewhere
in Vermont. I have owned her three years and never
found her equal for gentleness and speed.”
“And so you think they have fled towards Canada,”
said the sheriff, “Well, really, I have thought of that more
than once, myself, and if it is the case the sooner we are
on their track the better,” and without another word save
a hurried good night he mounted his horse and all three
rode rapidly away greatly delighted with the important
information they had obtained.
Elmwood looked after them till a turn of the road hid
them from his sight, then entering the house he carefully
bolted the door and ascended the stairs apparently ex-
44
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
ceedingly well pleased at the termination of a visit from
which he had anticipated not a little vexation. He had
no sooner reentered his wife’s sleeping room than she ex-
claimed, “Why, good gracious ! Mr. Elmwood, what did
you mean? I thought True had taken the horses to that
pasture of yours on one of the islands in Cape Ann har-
bour.”
“Well, so he has,” returned Mr. Elmwood, with a sang-
froid that quite astounded his worthy dame. “Why so he
has, and what then?”
“What then,” cried she, “what a heathen you must be
to ask such a question. What did you tell those officers,
I should like to know.”
“Tell them,” interposed Elmwood, “why, I told them
the truth. Some one did enter my stable last night. True
entered it and took out the two horses I described. That,
I am sure, was no lie, and I told the sheriff, you heard me
it seems with your own ears, that he could attach what-
ever importance he pleased to the fact, and what I added
was also the truth that if the horses had been turned in
that direction and pushed to their utmost speed they might
now be nearly half way to Montreal ; and I still maintain
that they have strength and wind enough for anything.”
“Yes! yes!” returned his conscientious lady, “but you
intended to deceive.”
“That, I am willing to grant,” replied her liege-lord, “it
was a ruse de guerre, as the French say; perhaps it was
wrong, a trick beneath a gentleman and unworthy of me.
All I can say in my defence is that I stated a certain fact
from which they drew a wrong inference.”
“And you meant they should,” said Mrs. Elmwood
earnestly, “and” —
“Stop, stop, wife,” interrupted her husband, laughing
heartily at her serious face and earnest manners, “and de-
fer your lecture upon moral philosophy until you have a
lazier or to say the least a less sleepy audience,” and so
saying he kissed her affectionately as the surest way of
making peace, then throwing himself on the bed his head
had scarcely pressed his pillow ere he sank into that sweet
and dreamless slumber known to few save the hardy and
guileless-hearted tillers of the soil.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
45
Chapter VII.
’Twas morn, and like a blushing bride
Young Spring was smiling in her pride.
So bright and tranquil was the hour
It seemed to chain e’en passion’s power.
The sun had but just risen, yet all was bustle and activity
in the kitchen and about the stables of old Mr. Elmwood,
for he was one of those old-fashioned people who firmly
believed in Doctor Franklin’s maxim of “early to bed and
early to rise.” Several different figures were seen employed
in the stable yard. One was our old friend Jim Reilly,
who stood in his shirt sleeves, a curry-comb in his hand,
which he was dexterously useing about Hunter, Joseph
Elmwood’s favorite horse. Nearby stood another well
groomed animal with the harness on and just ready to be
attached to a handsome gig that two boys were clearing
from mud by the pump. Jim’s companion was a man
about fifty years old, of a strong clownish figure, of coarse
yet not entirely unpleasing features, and clad in a well-
worn suit of homespun cloth that had once been of a
brownish green, but long wear and not the most careful
usage rendered it almost impossible for one then to im-
agine the original tint. He sat quite at his ease upon a
wooden block by the horse trough, industriously scraping
the bark from several small twigs cut from a certain shrub
that all persons skilled in the veterinary art believed to be
possessed of great medicinal virtue.
Peter Twist was the great cattle doctor of that region
and Mr. Elmwood, being such a great landholder and
dealing so extensively in such neat merchandise, generally
found employment for the worthy farrier during nearly
the whole year, and thus, at all times, Mr. Elmwood’s
kitchen was his very constant and most assuredly his
favourite abiding place. From the above named bark,
which he was carefully preserving upon a large chip be-
side him, he intended to concoct a tea which he affirmed
would perform wonders; that is, it would perfectly and
almost immediately restore health to a certain ox that had
46
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
been for some days placed on the sick list. At this time
his tongue was quite as busily employed as his hands in
maintaining a spirited conversation with Master Reilly,
who had, as we have seen, risen already to be a rather im-
portant person in Mr. Elmwood’s establishment and now
began to be regarded with a certain degree of envy, by
not a few of the older but less favoured domestics.
“I s’pose you see that ’ere notice, don’t ye?” said Mr.
Twist, addressing Jim after a short pause and pointing with
his jack-knife to a printed placard that was conspicuously
fastened upon the stable door, offering a reward of five
hundred dollars for the arrest of Thornton Stanly and
giving full description of his person, etc., etc. “I say, I
s’pose you see that ’ere notice? Well, now, folks say you
know a darned sight more about that ’ere chap that the
writin up there pictures out; a’most anybody that ain’t no
way related to him; so, you see, you’ve only to say what
you do know, jest give the wink in the right way, and
pocket five hundred dollars — pretty little sum. Why, it
would make you most as big a gentleman as you think
you be !”
The curry-comb dropped from Jim’s hand as with
angry eye and burning cheek he gazed upon his compan-
ion and exclaimed, “Its little ye know Jim Reilly, Mr.
Twist, or understand the heart that is in his bosom av ye
think he’d demean himself to be an informer; and well as
he loves fine clothes and a merry time, he’d beg the rags
to cover him and the honest bit and sup to keep the life
within him before he’d black his soul and stain his fingers
wid the price of blood. Sure, every penny of that same is
blood money, and to betray who is it that ye spake of but
the kith and kin of him whose hand has fid me and
whose heart has stood to me and me old grand-
father before me. Gould and idleness may make a villin,
but it never made a gentleman. It’s little peace or rest
in this world I’d have, did I do a deed like that and then
my death-bed — ”
Here he was interrupted by a loud laugh from Peter,
who exclaimed, “Your death-bed ! why what do you mean.
Your a popish Roman Catholic ain’t you? and can get
your sin pardoned anytime for a four-pence.”
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
47
“My sins pardoned, is it,” Jim returned, with a look
where scorn and pity for such ignorance were strangely
blended, “My sins pardoned indeed ! Its little you know
of the holy sacrament of penance and the mysteries of
religion or ye’d not spake in that way of sacred things.
But it’s no good I’ll get by convarsing wid the likes of ye,
black-hearted heretic that ye are, and see, too, the young
Master is coming, so ye’d better whist entirely.”
The last word had hardly passed his lips when Joseph
Elmwood entered the yard accompanied by a fine looking
fellow of twenty-five, the owner of the gig, into which he
gaily sprung and taking the reins he pitched each of the
boys in attendance a pittance and waited till Jim had
placed a saddle on Hunter’s back into which young Elm-
wood having lightly vaulted they dashed through the gate
into the highroad and were out of sight in an instant.
They had not proceeded far ere they drew in their reins
and trotting slowly along, side by side, they conversed in
low earnest tones till they stopped at a substantial pair of
bars at the entrance of a pathway made through a thick
wood of stately pines.
“And so you say there has been no plan of escape as
yet decided upon,” said the gentleman in the gig to Joseph
Elmwood as they were about to separate. “Well ! well l
it must be dull enough for the poor fellows to be cooped
up there in not the pleasantest cage in the world. And
Power, I suppose, frets and rages like a caged tiger, doesn’t
he?”
“Oh, Power is not there now,” replied Joseph Elmwood,
“only the two brothers. He brooked his confinement a
whole night and day and then he swore he would stay
there no longer; so off he went, I am sure I know not
where. But he is one perfectly competent to take care of
himself so I have no fears for him, and for the others — Ben
is in no danger at all, we can secrete him, easily enough,
and if we could only see Thornton once safely over Haver-
hill bridge, the greatest obstacle would be surmounted,
and many a disguise has been proposed, from a tin pedlar
to a distressed and sorrowing widow begging her way from
Boston to her friends in New Hampshire. But we have
48
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
at last enlisted our worthy and mischief-loving cousin
Phineas Packard, in our cause and I rather think that his
inventive genius will suggest some good plan which he has
ample abilities to execute. Old Peters begins to be anxious
to have his premises vacated. He says he feels as though
his head was in a lion’s mouth.”
“A pleasant situation that, to be in,” said Capt. Freeman,
for by that appelation the gallant in the gig was usually
designated, “a very pleasant situation indeed. I don’t
envy the old gentleman, his feelings by day or his dreams
by night in such a frame of mind. But you think there
is no danger of my losing my way or missing the house?
I think you said there were but two dwellings anywhere
in this region.”
“No danger in the world,” said young Elmwood, “and if
you are observed you will probably be supposed to be a
suitor to that fair heiress, farmer Peters’ only child, the
lovely Betsy, and so a pleasant morning to you and good
success attend your expedition,” and thus saying, he
spurred Hunter gaily along the high road while Freeman
entered the wood on his way to the homestead of old
Stephen Peters.
Peters’ nearest and indeed only neighbor was good old
Mr. Hovey* who had from time immemorial rented an
adjoining farm belonging to Mr. Elmwood who was any-
thing but a severe landlord. It was the common saying
that Hovey generally paid his rent in poultry, but some-
times in cucumbers. True, it is, that he lived quite at
his ease, being allowed to exchange his old worn-out
cattle for young and strong ones and to act in all things
*The Ivory Hovey house, a two-story dwelling, forty feet in length,
formerly stood beside Pye brook, on what has long been known as
Hovey Plains on Haverhill street, at a point about half way between
Bixby’s corner and the Deland house. The house was built about
1700 and was destroyed Jan. 2, 1821 by a fire that caught in the brick
oven. It was then occupied by Timothy Emerson, formerly of Not-
tingham-West, N. H., who had married Huldah, daughter of Aaron
and Sarah (Perley) Hovey. Her brother Ivory Hovey, with his wife
Sarah, lived in this house until his death in 1816. The farm then
was bought by Billy and Joseph Emerson, respectively the uncle and
father of the authoress. The Stephen Perley place was located a
short distance to the westward across Pye brook.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
49
pretty much in accordance with his own will and pleasure.
It is no wonder then, that he regarded Mr. Elmwood as
the seigneur bountiful of the world — his world, the little
town of T[opsfield]. His family consisted of his wife and
three daughters, two well-grown girls, the fruit of a former
marriage, and a little lass of ten years, the only child of
his present wife and the spoiled pet and plaything of them
all.
The house was a dwelling of two stories; in good re-
pair, beautifully situated at the foot of a gently declining
hill, while a clear, bright stream, that separated the two
farms, went murmuring before the door which in pleasant
weather always stood invitingly open. Everything looked
more than usually cheerful in the porch and roomy kitchen,
the fine morning of which I have already spoken.
Old Mr. Hovey was ploughing in a field near by and
his young fresh-looking wife sat spinning before the door,
while at her feet was her little girl in a gown of red home-
spun, her flaxen hair neatly combed, braided and tied in a
club at the back of her head. She was picking over a
sieve of just-gathered dandelions and cowslips which were
soon to be transferred to a pot that was boiling over the
fire and which were intended as a relish to their frugal
noonday meal. The two elder girls, arrayed in dresses
of dark blue calico, with aprons and Vandykes of the same
fabric, were carding tow near the window. The three all
had been listening to a tale which Mrs. Hovey had related
with wonderful volubility. She was skilled in legendary
lore and her fame as a story-teller, in more senses than one,
was acknowledged far and near. She had hardly finished
one very entertaining narrative, where hobgoblins and mer-
maids acted a conspicuous part, ere her auditors with that
craving appetite the marvelous always excites, earnestly
entreated for another just like the one she had been tell-
ing. The fictitious stores and entertaining powers of Mrs.
Hovey were never exhausted and when they heard her
declare that she would not “touch to tell another story the
whole day for she could not bear to keep her tongue a-
going,” they gave up the story but insisted upon a ballad
instead.
So
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
“Yes, do, Mam,” said little Sally, “do please to sing that
pretty song you sung ’tother day when we had the party;
the one, I mean, about the squire and the lady with yeller
gold hair.”
Mrs. Hovey’s voice might have rivalled a crow’s, yet
this was her: I mean, one of her weak points — she was a
good singer in her own opinion — and after some little hesi-
tation and a few apologies about hoarseness — she had
heard somewhere that good singers always made excuses
about a cold — she began to sing the following very pa-
thetic ballad :
“The squire lean’d ’gainst a tall elm tree
While close unto his side,
His coal-black steed a waiting stood
For him to mount and ride.
But his thoughts away were wand’ring
To where a maiden fair,
Beside a stream each morn did braid
Her golden yellow hair.
Her cheeks were like the damask rose,
Her eyes as violet blue,
And ’neath her snowy breast there beat
A kindly heart and true.”
The remainder of this poetical effusion they were not
destined that morning to hear, for little Sally jumping up,
clapped her hands and cried, “Do mam, only look ; look
Polly, look Mother, only see what a handsome horse and
shay is coming over the bridge and a proper pretty gen-
tleman, too, in it, ain’t he, mam? I wonder who ’tis, for
’taint nary one of the Mr. Elmwood’s.”
By this time three female heads were at the window
curiously gazing at the approaching stranger and his styl-
ish equipage. Little Sally stood at the door and received
Capt. Freeman’s polite bow with a modest and not un-
graceful curtesy as she naively asked if he wanted to see
father.
“Yes, my little dear,” said the frank-hearted sailor, “I
wish to see your father if his name is Peters — Stephen
Peters, and if not, will you be kind enough to direct me
to his house for I begin to imagine that I have taken the
wrong road?”
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
5 1
“You are not much out of your way, sir,” said Mrs.
Hovey, now stepping forward. “You can see the smoke
of the chimney from here and you have only to cross the
brook a little higher up and you will see a cartroad that
will lead you right straight up to the door.”
The gallant Captain thanked her very politely for her
information and finding the right pathway at last he drove
forward some hundred rods and having ascended a slight
declivity he stopped his horse and throwing back the top
of his gig he beheld as fair a prospect of rural beauty as
mortal ever gazed upon, a highly cultivated vale, well
wooded and generously watered was surrounded by high
hills of picturesque beauty just assuming the emerald
mantle of spring. Not far distant the smoke issuing from
farmer Peters’ chimney was seen curling up towards the
sky, while the humble abode from which he had just turned,
appeared in all its quiet beauty. The branches of the trees
that waved above the sloping roof were just putting forth
their buds promising ere long to afford abundant and shady
foliage. At the east side of the house was the newly
ploughed garden through which a strutting, yet chivalrous
chanticleer, was escorting a whole bevy of hens, while in
the barnyard, a turkey cock was showing his pride, with
Sultan-like importance, to the feathered beauties of his
rustic harem. Gracefully bathing in the clear bright
brook were a flock of snowy geese attended by a grey
gander, a very Methuselah in age, and to complete the
picture, a noble-looking drake, with all an Admiral’s
pride, was superintending the aquatic evolutions of about
twenty well-fed ducks, while two slate-colored and three
snow-white doves, the peculiar property of little Sally,
were cooing on the ridgepole of the barn. The charming
landscape and the picture of quiet happiness it presented
made the worthy son of Neptune half resolve to forsake
the sea and make love to the fair heiress to whom he was
soon to be introduced ; in short, to turn farmer at once and
court the favour not only of Venus and Cupid, but of Ceres,
Pomona and Flora.
The noise of Captain Freeman’s wheels had hardly
died away in the distance ere the eldest Miss Hovey ex-
52
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
claimed, “I declare, I don’t b’leve a grain but what that
’ere feller is gone over there a sparking. I’ve a good mind to
make some arrand over there a purpose to see.” This pro-
posal seemed to meet the unanimous approbation of the
whole party.
‘‘Look here, you !” said Mrs. Hovey, addressing in this
familiar style her daughters, “Look here, you ! That is a
real bright thought of Polly’s and there’s the reel we bor-
rowed over there the other day; carry that home and
ask Mrs. Peters if she won’t lend us her quill wheel. I
wonder if Bets was expecting him,” continued Mrs. H.,
in a meditative tone, “I wonder if she was expecting him.
If she warn’t, I guess he won’t think she is much of a beauty
if he catches her in the suds; but if she know’d of his
coming I spose she’ll be all dressed up as fine as a butterfly.
She’s got a real slick cinnamon-colored silk gown and a
lilac crepe one, too. I wonder which one she’ll have on.
But, after all, I don’t b’leve she’ll ever set as much by this
one as she does by young Doc. Royal;* everybody says
she’s certainly after him.”
“But lord, marm, what a proper rich man this one must
be,” said Martha. “He had on the beautifulest clothes
and a ruffled shirt as fine as silk and as white as snow. And
did you mind his bosom pin? ’twas the best of gold, I
guess.”
“Yes, I minded it,” said Mrs. Hovey, “and I took par-
ticular notice besides of his great gold watch-chain. All
them folks that live in lower towns spend a sight of money
for dress. He’ll be too grand and dashing for the old
folks, I reckon. They’ll be afraid of his spending their
money; the money they been so many years scraping
together. Well ! well ! when folks are so awful stingy as
she has always been, their property, so I have always
heard say, will go like dew before the sun.”
Polly now appeared, reel in hand and a cotton hand-
kerchief tied over her head to preserve her complexion.
As she crossed the threshold and departed on her visit of
discovery, she declared with a determination worthy of a
*Dr. Royal Augustus Merriam, born in Topsfield in 1786, began
the practice of medicine there in 1813.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
53
better cause, that she would find out all about it before
she came back just as sure as her name was Polly Hovey.
Leaving the curious Miss Polly to pursue her way in
haste or at leisure as it may have seemed best to her fair
self, we will at once take a peep at the domicil to which
she is proceeding. Everything in and about the abode of
Mr. Peters* denoted great neatness and not less frugality,
while even a certain degree of taste was here and there
perceptable, indicating plainly a woman’s presence and
care. On each side of the front door were several tall
lilac trees, with red and white rosebushes interspersed be-
tween. Peony roots too, were seen just peeping from
the ground, while in a sheltered and sunny nook at
one corner of the house some snowdrops and pansies were
blooming in early pride. In the window of an apartment,
serving usually as parlour, kitchen and hall, bloomed a
monthly rose, treasured with great care by Miss Betsy her-
self and deemed by all, her especial pet and delight.
Capt. Freeman on his arrival had been immediately ush-
ered into the presence of the concealed fugitives. His gig
had been wheeled under a sort of shed, which had for thirty
years protected from the weather Mrs. Peters old square-top
chaise that looked, beside the new and stylish gig, like an
antiquated milkmaid beside a young and fashionable city
belle, and a barefooted boy was watering his horse from
a washtub that stood by the well.
*The Stephen Perley house was located near Pye brook, on a pri-
vate way that leads from Haverhill street near Gallup’s bridge. The
house was built before 1781 and was destroyed by fire in 1867. He
married Elizabeth Gould and had three daughters, Betsy, the oldest,
here being immortalized. She died unmarried, in 1819, aged 34
years. The farm was sold at auction in 1867 and Mrs. Holmes’ hus-
band composed a poetical advertisement for the auction, which
began as follows: —
“The Heirs of Stephen Perley say
On Thursday, 23d of May,
At 10 A.M., they’ll sell th’ estate
Of Stephen P., of Topsfield late.
This farm lies in a quiet nook,
Almost surrounded by Pye Brook,
Save on the line to this abode,
Along Low’s mill and Boxford Road.”
54
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
The old farmer sat at an open door in the back of the
house, commanding a full view of his extensive cornfield
where the red-winged blackbirds were holding high fes-
tival and enjoying a luxurious feast in spite of more than
one scarecrow and greatly to the annoyance of the worthy
Mrs. P., who had more than once reminded her lord that
it would be much more to his profit, and the respectability
of his appearence, if he would take his gun and shoot the
pesky critters instead of sitting there doing nothing but
smoke his pipe and doze away his precious time. If she
had only been a man, things would have been managed
very differently. He still smoked on, giving little heed to
the above eloquent tirade; indeed he had become so ac-
customed to that amiable lady’s volubility that it grew at
last to be a kind of lullaby. Two grey cats were reposing
upon a mat at his feet, for Mrs. Peters thought a dog both
a useless and expensive animal. Though the old gentle-
man was kindly allowed to pet alternately her tabby and
his daughter Betsy, he willingly would have extended his
kindness to the shoeless urchin at the well, had his amiable
spouse permitted it, but this she sturdily forbid, peremp-
torly asserting that the least indulgence would make him
both impudent and lazy. He once had called her a Tar-
tar. This was an affront that she could neither forget or
forgive, and Heaven knows and earth can witness that if
severe management and short commons would have made
a boy industrious or well-mannered, that little fellow would
have been a prodigy indeed. No eastern Nabob ever felt
more happy and never half so rich as did that neglected
child on that, to him, ever to be remembered morning as
he stood with Freeman beside the well, for when the gen-
erous-hearted sailor threw him the reins and his eyes fell
upon his tattered garb and meager face, he could not re-
sist the impulse to place in his little toil-hardened hand
a silver five-franc piece. Never before had the poor lad
imagined, even in his brightest dreams, that he could be
the honest possessor of such a glittering treasure.
The oven at one side of the wide fireplace was heating
and Mrs. Peters and her daughter were busy about the
usual preparation for baking. The door leading into the
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
55
best room on the ground floor was ajar and through the
opening could be perceived the old beaufat well filled
with old china, while here and there an antique piece of
silver, such as a can or cream pitcher, was ostentatiously
displayed. A glimpse, too, could be obtained of the bed
with its snowy drapery and counterpain on which was care-
lessly thrown the hat and riding whip of the recently ar-
rived guest. The room occupied by the fugitives was in
the second story and in a more secluded part of the house.
The mistress of the mansion kept constantly bustling
from the kitchen to the buttery, now warning her daughter
to use less of this and then to be more prudent of that,
and not unfrequently addressing a word or two of not the
gentlest import to the philosophic Stephen who bore it
all with the most praiseworthy patience as long as she
did not strike the pipe from his mouth or disturb the re-
pose of his feline friends. She was a woman somewhat
below the middle height and not far from fifty years of
age. Her hair, plentifully sprinkled with silver threads,
she wore neatly braided and bound in a sort of club at
the back of her head and over it was drawn a close linen
cap with a border of most quaker-like simplicity. Her
dress, a gown of some dark stuff, had seen its best days
many years ago if one might judge from the numerous
darns that covered it like thick embroidery. Her features
were strongly marked, especially the mouth, and her eyes
were of a clear bright blue. Her parsimony was the theme
of all her gossipping acquaintance, yet she could at times
make even great sacrifices for those she loved and espe-
cially for those who were connected with her by the ties
of blood. With all her sternness one could easily per-
ceive that a kindly heart beat sometimes within her heart.
Though but distantly related to young Stanly they in-
curred no small risk in sheltering one whom the law had
declared a traitor to his country. It is true they believed
him to be perfectly innocent of the crime of which he
was accused, yet had it been directly otherwise they would
probably have acted the same in order to save the family
from the deep disgrace of the hangman’s cord. They all
knew perfectly well the danger they incurred, yet, with
56
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
all her fretting, Mrs. Peters would have been equally will-
ing with her husband to have defended with her life, had
such a thing been necessary, the safety of those who had so
confidently sheltered themselves beneath her roof. It is
true, Mrs. P., often regretted, in not the softest words, their
perilous situation and complained unceasingly about what
she considered the enormous consumption of the dainties
she was daily preparing to tempt the appetites and cheer
the dreary hours of her prisoner guests. She also was
never tired of giving lessons in economy to her daughter,
who, to do the young lady justice, was almost as liberal
as her mother was parsimonious.
“There, there, Betsy ,” said Mrs. Peters in a tone of warn-
ing to her daughter, “three eggs is a great plenty for that
pudding. You’r awful extravagent in eggs and — ”
In whatever else her lavish expenditure needed reprov-
ing, Betsy at that time was not destined to learn, for the
good lady caught sight of Miss Hovey advancing towards
the house and instantly exclaimed, “If there ain’t Poll
Hovey coming right straight here, and jest as like as not
she mistrusts something. She’s a dreadful curious gal,
eternally peeking her nose where she’s no business to. I
really b’leve everything will be all brought out and — Oh la
sus ! I do wish folks would let me have a little peace.
Shut the door, Betsy, that leads into the fire room. Oh
la sus ! what put into her head to come gadding over here?
To gawk round, I s’pose, with her great wall-eyes, and to
see all that is to be seen. Mr. Peters,” said she, changing
her tone to one key or two lower and milder, “there’s Polly
coming; do wake up and move round and let her pass.
Mr. Peters always takes up the whole doorway,” said his
affectionate dame, as Miss Hovey entered the kitchen and
laid down the reel she had borrowed some months before,
and then she added, “Oh la sus ! I’m so — jest tired to
death. Your marm, pretty well, ain’t she, and the rest of
your folks?”
“Oh, yes’um, the’re all pretty smart. Where’s Betsy ?
Oh, there she is,” said Miss Polly, looking round, and to
her great surprise the young heiress was neither arrayed
in the cinnamon-colored silk nor the lilac crepe, but in
BV MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
57
her usual dress of dark calico, the sleeves partially rolled
up and the front breadth of her gown protected by a clean
checked apron.
Betsy Peters was not a beauty. She had never even
dreamed of being a belle, but she was a good daughter,
a kind friend, and an obliging neighbour. Her education
was superior to that of the farmers’ daughters with whom
she associated and on the whole she was not an entirely
unattractive person. From her modest, sensible demean-
our and exceedingly quiet manner, the young Stanlys
judged on their first introduction that it would be quite
useless for them to attempt to strike up a flirtation with
her in order to beguile their time and ere they had been
the inmates of her father’s house many hours they began
to regard her as a kind friend, an affectionate sister.
No allusion being made by any of the family to their
unexpected visitor, Miss Polly’s curiosity could be re-
strained no longer so she asked, looking archly at Betsy,
“Why — Why ain’t you in the fire room along with your
beau? I expected to find you all dressed up as smart as
a carrot. He’s a real handsome fellow. Ye see, I know
all about it so you need not look so strange. He stopped
at our house to find out the way here.”
“Oh,” said Betsy, smiling, “the gentleman in the gig you
mean, I suppose; but indeed you have no reason in the
world to imagine he is a beau of mine.”
“Why, what is he here for if he ain’t arter you?” Polly
rudely exclaimed, and then she added, “Pm sure I don’t
see what else he could want clear away up here in the
woods.”
“You forget,” said Betsy, blushing slightly at the decep-
tion she was useing, “you forget that father has two fine
colts that will make a splendid pair of carriage horses one
of these days. What would you say if he had heard of
them and had made a journey here on purpose to see
them? To such a gentleman as the stranger appears to
be they must be a much greater attraction than a country
girl like me.”
“Well, now, I vum ! I never once thought of that,” said
Polly. “So you don’t even know his name nor where he’s
58
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
from and I all the time thinking he was a spark of your'n.
I suppose he's out in the paster now looking at the critters,
ain’t he?”
“I really do not know exactly where he is,” said Betsy,
“but if he is out there you cannot help meeting him on
your way home and perhaps he may take a fancy to you.”
“There ain’t much chance of that,” Miss Hovey humbly
replied. “There ain't much chance of that, but if I was
only a little handsomer and had a little more laming I’d
sartenly set my cap for him.”
Whether the desire of meeting the handsome Captain
influenced Miss Polly or that she deemed a longer visit
unnecessary, having acquired all the information she was
likely to obtain, I cannot say, but ere many minutes
elapsed she took her departure entirely forgetting to ask
for the quill-wheel.
The day at last passed away and in the grey twilight of
a foggy evening, a single pedestrian was seen to cross a
log thrown over the ford-way, forming a very primitive
bridge for foot passengers, and proceed towards the house.
He was received at the door by Stephen himself and was
immediately conducted by him into the presence of his
prisoner guests and their sea-faring friend. He at once
advanced cordially towards them and warmly shook the
hand of each, then throwing off a well-worn hat and ample
cloak of dark camlet, he displayed the tall, bony figure of
a man in the prime of life, with a countenance where good
sense and cunning were strangely blended.
Phineas Packard, for such was the stranger’s name, was
a singular compound of good and evil. He could be faith-
ful and true when he chose to be so and even his enemies
acknowledged that he possessed honor enough never to
betray a trust. He took especial delight and a certain
pride in outwitting his neighbors, and to plan and execute
a stratagem had been his favourite pastime from his earli-
est years to the present hour. Not long after his arrival,
a light, one-horse wagon, driving rapidly up, stopped in
front of the house and a young lad springing nimbly to
the ground, rapped gently at the window with his riding-
whip. The door was quickly opened by Mr. Peters and
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
59
the candle in his hand revealed to him the features of
Master Reilly. They exchanged a few words in a low
tone when Jim turned and taking from the wagon a large
and securely bound package he consigned it to the old
man’s care. Then with a hearty “Good night,” he sprung
once more into his seat and cracking his whip, his horse’s
speed and the darkness of the night soon hid him from
view.
The bundle was immediately taken to the chamber
where in full conclave sat the four gentleman already men-
tioned. Nor had the door hardly closed upon them ere
the contents were displayed upon the floor. Whatever
they were they seemed to afford the beholders much amuse-
ment for repeated shouts of ringing laughter resounded
through the house much to the disturbance of its drowsy
mistress who always retired early and who more than
once exclaimed, as the merry sounds reached her ears, — -
“Oh la sus ! what a noise they do make. I can’t sleep no
more than a toad under a horse. They act, to be sure,
jest exactly like folks that expect to be hung every mo-
ment. Oh la sus! what terrible little consideration some
folks have.”
The laughter at last ceased. Steps were heard descend-
ing the stairs and ere a minute Freeman and Packard is-
sued from the house, the former offering the latter a seat
in his gig which had been for some time in waiting. The
hour was too late for such an offer to be refused and they
were soon seated side by side driving rapidly away leav-
ing drowsy Mrs. Peters to enjoy her slumbers, no longer
disturbed by their uncontrolled and roystering merriment.
6o
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
Chapter VIII.
And none like him a stratagem
So artfully could plan.
And then, the same to execute,
He was the very man.
The town clock of Haverhill was just striking eight, an
evening or two after the events last related, when an old,
yet respectable, square-top chaise, drawn by a large, fat,
sleek-looking horse, was driven over the bridge ; and stop-
ping long enough to pay the toll, advanced slowly along the
streets and drew up before the door of the best and most
frequented inn. A hostler advanced to take charge of
the equipage as a tall, thin, muscular man, wearing the
long-skirted brown coat and broad-brimmed hat of a
Quaker, alighted and assisted to the ground a lady arrayed
in the simple garb of the same sect. They entered the
house and the gentleman hastened to secure a room for
the night, while the lady seated herself before the fire in
a little parlour adjoining the bar-room where several men
sat smoking, talking, and ocasionally refreshing them-
selves from a large pitcher that stood on a table near the
fire stove. The lady was much wrapped up and complete-
ly protected from the chill evening air. She wore a dress
of some thick dark material, and over it was thrown a short
cloak of drab broadcloth, the head of which was drawn
closely over a hood of brownish silk from which was sus-
pended a black veil of impenetrable thickness entirely
concealing her face which besides was muffled in a linen
cambrick handkerchief, as if fearful of the ague or tooth-
ache.
She sat several minutes gazing intently at the cheerful
blaze, then raising her veil she fixed her eyes upon a pla-
card placed conspicuously over the mantel-piece and read
there, printed in large letters, the words, “High Treason.
Five hundred dollars reward.” And then followed a de-
scription of Thornton Stanly, his age, height, look and
gesture. The lady instantly let fall her veil as footsteps
sounded in the room, but it was her companion who, with
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
6l
the landlord, had just entered to assure her that an apart-
ment with a good fire blazing in the chimney was in read-
iness to receive her.
“But won’t your lady take something before she retires,”
said the worthy publican, addressing the owner or rather
the wearer of the broad-brim. “Won’t your lady take a
little something, for the evening is pretty chilly.”
“Thou hearest the question, Ruth, will it be thy pleas-
ure?” But before he could finish, the lady seized his arm
and murmuring a hasty negative expressed a desire to be
shown to her chamber without delay.
“She has been suffering severely with the tooth-ache,”
said the gentleman, in an apologetic tone, “and I suppose
she needeth a little rest at the present moment more than
any thing else. By the by, I will myself take her a cup
of tea. A husband, after all, is the best attendant his
wife can have when she is a little indisposed.”
“Oh, certainly, certainly !” replied the host, and marshal-
ing the way he ushered them into a very prettily or at
least comfortably furnished room with a good fire blazing
on the clean, homelike looking hearth.
The door closed and the travellers remained alone. For
several minutes they stood leaning against the chimney as
if absorbed in a trance of thought. At length the lady
started into consciousness and throwing off her cloak and
laying aside her hood and muffler, displayed a face, the
features of which were handsome though strongly marked
and altogether too masculine for a woman. Her long,
dark hair was parted on her forehead and combed smooth'
ly into a knot at the back of her head and then confined
beneath a lawn cap of the simplest form, and her hands,
though large, were white and finely shaped. She was
very tall but one could judge but little of the beauty of
her form it was so shrouded in her dark stuff dress.
“It will hardly be prudent,” said she, laying her hand
on her companion’s shoulder and smiling somewhat sadly
as she met his earnest gaze, “It will hardly be prudent
for me to disrobe, for a full description of my beautiful
self when arrayed in male attire, hangs over the chimney
in the little parlour below stairs, so I had best sleep, for
62
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
sleep I must, in all this paraphernalia, to guard against
any surprise, not to speak of the difficulty I should have
in the morning to don these troublesome habiliments
again should I denude myself of them now. The greatest
annoyance is this confounded wig. Should it chance to
get awry, I fear my skill would hardly suffice to set it
right. And, alas! I shall have no longer the fair Betsy’s
skilful hand to assist me.”
“Yes, I certainly think you are right,” said the gentle-
man, in whom my readers have of course recognized
Packard. “I think you are right, though I do not appre-
hend any danger. So after you have taken a cup or two
of tea — it is, you know, exceedingly indecorous for ladies,
especially for the members of the society, the female ones
I mean, to which we at present belong, to allow their ruby
lips to sip any beverage more exhilerating than good green
tea — so, I say, after you have taken one or two cups, I
will lock the door, put the key in my pocket, go down and
join the group around the bar. I may possibly learn
something that it may be important for us to know.
Phineas Packard was soon seated in the bar room, a
little apart from the company before assembled there.
He alternately smoked his pipe and sipped his brandy
and water which, to do justice to his discretion, I must
add that this evening he had prepared much weaker than
usual.
He sat there sometime listening, with grave and silent
bearing, to the merry tale, the rustic joke, or the gay, light
song of a group of idlers in the far corner of the room,
while a little knot of politicians round the fire were dis-
cussing the affairs of the nation with statesman-like im-
portance save now and then when one, more excitable
than the rest, would spring to his feet and with all the elo-
quence of a village Cicero harangue his companions with
a volubility as wild as it was bewildering.
Packard divided his attention pretty equally between the
above named parties till quite dispairing of learning any-
thing at all useful to or connected with his present plans, he
arose to retire, when two weary-looking and travel-stained
strangers entered and advancing directly to the bar they
ordered a hot supper and a bed for the night.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES-.
63
Room for the new comers, who appeared to be well-
known to many present, was soon made at the fire and
each of them drawing a chair near the cheerful blaze they
seated themselves down quietly to await the good things
already preparing. One could easily perceive by a cer-
tain air of importance, even more than slightly percept-
able in their demeanour, that they were official dignitaries
of no little consequence in their own eyes and Packard
soon learned they were two of the High Sheriff’s most
trusty and trusted Deputies.
“Well, boys,” said a little old man with piercing blue
eyes, though his hair was as white as snow, and who had
taken an active part in the late political debate, “Well,
boys, what success did you meet with? Have you gained
the reward by nabbing the traitor at last?”
“Nabbed him !” repeated both the officers in a breath,
“Nabbed him !” continued the tallest of the two, his asso-
ciate appearing really too fatigued to join in the conver-
sation, “Nabbed him, indeed ! Catch a weazle asleep,
that's all, if you can. One might as well look for a needle
in a stack of hay, as for anybody that the Elmwoods un-
dertake to conceal. There’s the old man; can ride from
Boston to Canada, and stop at his own house every night,*
and there's John Elmwood, his third son, living in Ver-
mont, with more farms and horses than you can shake a
stick at. We searched more than a dozen farms belonging
to one or the other of them and had our labour for our
pains. Stanly never cleared out this way and if he did he’s
in Canada, long ago. The government had better send now
and search the south. We’ve given the north a pretty
good ransacking. But here comes the supper and if you
never saw a couple of hungry wolves eat why here’s the
sight for you now.”
Packard, greatly delighted with what he had heard, soon
retired to communicate the pleasing intelligence to his
supposed wife. The coast was clear at least in the direc-
tion that they were to journey, and the next morning ere
the sun had risen, they were on their way. They travelled
*This was true of Billy Emerson of Topsfield, who was a very large
landowner and extensive cattle and sheep trader with Canada.
64
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
leisurely along, all sense of danger past, and towards even-
ing they found themselves ascending the steep and dreary
hills of Gilmanton. A little after dark they drove up to
a handsome, newly erected mansion, at the door of which
a gentleman and lady were standing as if in expectation
of their arrival. Their horse was taken by a stout negro
to the stable and they were ushered, with many cordial
words of hearty welcome, into a pleasant looking parlour
where a table was spread in readiness to receive the plen-
tiful supper prepared on purpose to cheer and refresh
them after their long and tedious journey.
Chapter IX.
Triumphant, peace proclaiming bell,
Freedom is in thy voice.
The prisoner’s drooping heart doth swell,
And in thy tones rejoice.
About nine months had passed since the last events re-
corded in our story. It was evening, the air was cold and
chill, and a mantle of newly-fallen snow covered the hard,
frozen ground. The stars shone with intense brilliancy
and a crescent moon added new beauty to the scene. All
day the bells of New England had been ringing their
merriest peals. Peace ! peace ! was in this joyful sound
of those now silver-toned yet often solemn monitors and
a grateful thankfulness and triumphant joy filled, as one
heart, the entire nation.
In a spacious chamber, wainscotted with some dark
wood, in the old house at Wenham, sat a lady not entirely
unknown to our readers. It was nearly midnight and
though Mrs. Power was alone, the thoughts of retiring to
rest seemed, from her occupation, to be the farthest
from her mind. A boiling tea kettle hung over a good
fire that was blazing on the neatly swept hearth at one
side of which, in most inviting proximity, stood a large
arm chair near a little table furnished with a tea equipage
and several viands, too substantial for the appetite of a
lady, especially at that time of night. The room was
simply though very comfortably furnished — the floor cov-
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
65
ered with a thick homemade carpet, and the bed shroud-
ed in curtains of deep green morean. Having prepared
her tea and arranged and rearranged everything on the
table some half-dozen times and looked more than once at
the pies warming on trivets in the corner, she stepped to
the door and opening it gently she appeared to listen
anxiously for several minutes, then having satisfied herself
that all was quiet below, she shut and relocked it and re-
turned to her place at the fire. She waited a little longer
and then falling on her knees she prayed silently and fer-
vently till the old house clock told the hour of twelve. As
the last sound died away she rose and moving the bed-
stead several feet from the wall she bent down and raising
the carpet slightly from the floor, touched a spring and a
door in the ceiling, so perfectly concealed that it could be
discovered only with the aid of a microscope, opened noise-
lessly and the tall athletic figure of Power stepped forth
into the chamber. He was paler and thinner than when
introduced to the reader, but in other respects unchanged.
He affectionately embraced his wife and then devoted
himself to the supper with an appetite that confinement
and danger had in vain endeavoured to diminish. Having
satisfied the demands of Nature he leaned back in his easy
chair and placing his feet on the mantel-piece — a favour-
ite attitude of his, by the way — he said, looking earnestly
at his wife, “Why, Mary, what has happened? I have
not seen such a smile on your lip and such a look of hap-
piness on your face for many a month. What is it wife?”
“Have you not heard the bell ringing all day?” she in
her turn inquired, and then she added, “Peace is declared,
and so, dear husband, you at last are free, at least, or will
be so in a few days. When I heard the news, at first I
almost fainted. I thought such joyful intelligence was too
good to be believed. Yet it is true, for the bells have
been ringing all day and now bonfires are blazing on all
the hills.”
“Oh, yes,” answered Power, and his stern features soft-
ened and reflected the expression of happiness, brightening
his wife’s sedate and placid face, “Oh, yes, I heard the
bell, but I never once dreamed that it could be for peace.
66
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
But tell me, has my sister never yet received a letter from
either of her boys? It is strange that they have never
written.”
“Oh, yes,” said Mrs. Power, “I forgot to tell you, a letter
came yesterday. It seems that Thornton, after remaining
some time in Gilmanton with our cousin Elmwood Power
and his young and lovely wife, arrayed himself in the dress
of a Quaker, the very garb worn by the worthy Phineas,
for ought I know to the contrary, and mounting a good
strong hackney, wended his way at leisure through the
wilds of Maine ’till he reached New Brunswick, where he
was joined by his brother. Ben, you know, escaped in
the disguise of a drover, Uncle Elmwood providing the
cattle. They seem very anxious to have their mother
with them, so I suppose she will soon leave us, as the trav-
elling will be uninterrupted, now hostilities have ceased.
Thornton, I think, wrote something about Ben’s being
married to a young lady of Gilmanton, now visiting in
Halifax.”
“Well,” said Power, taking a candle from the table and
lighting a cigar, “all I hope is one thing and that is, that
they have done searching this house. I trembled for you,
Mary, every time the law-sharks came. I trembled, I say,
and yet it was not from fear.”
“Oh,” said Mrs. Power, laughing, “I have really become
used to it, for at one time there was a perfect campaign
of marching, counter-marching and surprises. I never
was much troubled but once, and that was after you were
seen walking that moonlight night in the garden. It was
very careless in you and indiscreet in me. I ought not
to have consented. They searched more thoroughly than
they ever did before. They sounded the ceiling, too, but
without making any discovery. The last time they were
here, Pomp’s patience became entirely exhausted and he
expostulated with them on the folly of their disturbing a
peaceable family every night or two, in language not the
mildest, I can assure you.”
“And Ty,” said Power, “does he not suspect? The
rascal knows everything.”
“Yes, I really think he knows you are here,” said Mrs.
BY MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
67
Power, “indeed, I am quite sure of it, for he never leaves
the entry while the investigation is going on. He stretches
himself out on the mat and appears to be waiting until he
is wanted ; and while I am here he always remains outside
the door, though he never offers to enter. He is, indeed,
a wonderful creature and since his performance in the
swamp he is regarded as a kind of wizard by the good
people in the neighbourhood.”
“Call him in and let me see him,” said Power.
“No! No! That will never do,” said his wife, smiling,
“you would make too much noise. The house would be
waked and your retreat discovered in no time. No! No!
Wait a few days longer and then — and then Power will be
himself again.”
They sat and chatted thus till the first blush of morn-
ing began to tinge with roseate hue the azure sky, when
Power reentered again his narrow prison, which for nine
months had been his home, unknown to any living being
but his faithful wife and, it may be, his equally faithful
dog. For nine months his wife concealed him there and
cared for all his wants. This closet probably had been
made when the house was built, for the purpose of secret-
ing treasure, and none knew of it, save the owner and the
workman who constructed it, ’till it accidently had been
discovered by Mrs. Power, some years before, while she
was busily engaged about her annual spring cleaning.
She kept the secret, she hardly knew why, and her doing
so, eventually furnished her with the means of providing
for her husband a secure retreat unknown to any human
being but herself.
Having carefully concealed every vestage of the late
supper and restored the room to its usual neat and pre-
cise appearance, she descended the stairs and entered her
little bedroom to seek a few moments repose before com-
mencing the labours of the day. Her sleep was calm and
tranquil, more so, indeed, than it had been for a long time,
for she believed that her greatest care was soon to be re-
moved, like a mighty weight from her heart, and that ere
long she should see in his old place at their social and
hospitable board, the father of her children, the husband
of her youth.
68
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE,
Chapter X.
I know this written tale is true,
So reader, I have nought to do,
But a concluding word to say
And cast my scuttling pen away.
It was a calm, but dark and chilly afternoon in the au-
tumn of 1815, when three gentlemen were seated in a room
of small dimensions in one of the best inns that the now
city of Portland could then boast. They sat at a small
table placed before the ample hearth where a fire of large
logs of maple threw its cheerful gleam over their persons
and on the dinner table which stood apart retaining the
remains of their recent feast. On the table, round which
they were grouped, stood several decanters flanked by
three huge glass goblets. From these circumstances, taken
together, the cheerfulness and frequently the boisterous
mirth of the party was not much to be wondered at. They
all three wore the air of men who had met together for
the express purpose of amusement and to interchange
kind words and friendly greetings.
“Indeed, Power,” said Thornton Stanly, resuming the
conversation after a few moments silence, “Indeed, Power,
I do not at all like to hear you say that there is no com-
pensation. Yet, that is not the word I ought to have used.
Kindness, like yours, cannot be compensated, but can I
not, in some way, oblige you? Is there no way left for
me to evince my gratitude?”
“Yes, there is one way,” said Power, emptying his glass
and leisurely refilling it again. “Yes, there is one way.”
“Oh ! Name it ! Name it !” cried the brothers in a breath.
“Oh, name it, dear Uncle, and — ”
“Well ! Well !” said Power interrupting them. “Well !
Well ! I’ll tell you and you’ll both agree to oblige me won’t
ye?”
“Certainly, certainly, how can you doubt us?” they ex-
claimed simultaneously, “only point out the way, only tell
us how we can do so.”
By MRS. HARRIET EMERSON HOLMES.
69
“Let the subject drop forever/’ answered Power. “Let
the subject drop forever for I wish to talk of something
else. Besides, I tell you. it’s reward enough for me to
see you both looking so finely and to hear, though I don’t
believe more than half you say about it, that you have each
been so fortunate as to obtain such a paragon for a wife.
Young husbands are always fools. But Thornton, that
was a capital letter you wrote to the Governor. I never
thought much of your abilities as a letter-writer till then.
But, by Jupiter! that was just the thing. I seldom look
at the papers, but really, I read that document from be-
ginning to end. Ben, you’re a lawyer, yet you’ll pardon
me, I trust, if I say one thing and that is — that I think the
trial by jury which has been so lauded for several centur-
ies, is a great abuse. Now the trial by single combat was
to my mind much more consistent, both with justice and
Christianity. There, God himself, decided the question.
He nerved the arm of the innocent, while he paralyzed
that of the guilty. You know the Bible says that ‘the
race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong’ — and
if I had only have believed you as innocent, some years
ago, as I do now, I should have left your cause with Heaven
and your country, for after all, on second thought, I’m
convinced that God will direct the opinions of twelve men
as He would nerve with might the weak arm of the inno-
cent combatant, so as to the interposition of Heaven there
can be no difference whatever, only, the fighting would
be more to my taste, that’s all.”
“No doubt of it, whatever,” exclaimed Ben, laughing
heartily. “No doubt of it at all. But indeed, Uncle, I had
no idea that you were so conversant with the sacred
writings, and such a reasoner, too. There was no sophis-
try in that last remark of yours — none at all. Why, you
would have made a distinguished Judge had you only
studied jurisprudence.”
“No ! No ! Nephew, you need not laugh. I leave law,
latin, and devilment to the better deserving. But I must
ring for Blackbird to be saddled, for I hope to ride
twenty miles on my homeward way ere moon-rise.”
Many were the kind remembrances to old friends, with
;o
THORNTON STANLY OR THE RESCUE.
which Power was intrusted, as the three stood side by side
at the inn door awaiting Blackbird’s appearance; and
Thornton, taking from his pocket book a little morocco
case containing a fine gold chain of exquisite workman-
ship, to which was attached a small locket of the same
metal enclosing a braid of raven hair, he put it into Power’s
hand and bid him request Helen to wear it as a slight
token of his wife’s remembrance and gratitude.
“She took it from her own neck,” said he, “when she
knew of my journey here to meet you and bade me desire
you to place it in the hands of one to whom we both owe
so much. And now tell me, for as yet I have not asked
particularly for her, how does Helen do? Is she as beau-
tiful as ever?”
“Mrs. Danforth,” said Power, smiling, and laying some
emphasis on the name, “is in excellent health and she is
looking very much as when you last saw her ; a little more
matronly, perhaps, but that in my eyes is an improvement.
I passed her door some days since on my way here and
she came out, to bid me good bye, with my little grand-
son, an urchin of nine months old, in her arms. But here
is Blackbird, looking as he always does, fit to mount an
emperor.”
“And Ty,” shouted the two, “do tell us of him.”
“Oh,” said Power, “the last I saw of him, as I turned to
take a last look at home, he was performing the office of
a pony for Master Johnny Danforth. He has transferred
his allegiance from the old John to the young one.” And
shaking his nephews' hands again and again, he vaulted
lightly into his saddle and took his homeward way leaving
our hero and his brother to pass a solitary evening ere
they set out on the morrow to join their families, then, as
now, securely resting under the protection of the British
Lion.
Finis.
REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN
TOPSFIELD — 1843.
Chapter I.
v
SECTION i. Each school, at the commencement, shall
be divided into four classes, whose studies shall be appro-
priated as hereinafter named.
Sec. 2. The fourth class shall use Worcester’s Primer.
Their exercises shall be as follows: 1. Pronounce words
without spelling. 2. Pronouncing and spelling combined.
3. Spelling, without book, words that have been learned
in the regular lesson.
SEC. 3. The third class shall read in Pierpont’s Young
Reader. They shall attend to reading and spelling. The
spelling book lessons, such as the key, punctuation, the
use of capital letters, are to be committed to memory.
This class also is expected to do something in geography
and grammar.
Sec. 4. The second class shall use Worcester’s Third
Book. They shall be exercised in reading, spelling, and
thinking combined, and defining. The stops and marks,
as they occur in the reading lessons, to be explained and
learned. They will continue the study of grammar and
geography: commit the grammar to memory, and learn
to parse simple sentences.
Sec. 5. The first class shall read in Worcester’s Fourth
Book. They shall continue the studies of the second class.
The committee would recommend to such as are qualified,
attention to any one or all of the following branches, viz :
history, composition, book-keeping, algebra, geometry,
surveying, navigation, natural philosophy, astronomy, and
rhetoric.
(71)
; 72 REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SEC. 6. Oral instruction shall be deemed to constitute
an important part of the duties of the teacher, and shall
occupy a distinct portion of time during each half day;
the object being, in the simplest and most intelligible
manner, to impart the full meaning and understanding of
all that is read by or taught to the scholars.
SEC. 7. Writing and pen-making shall be attended to
by the three upper classes, between the hours of 11 and
12 o’clock; and it is the duty of the teacher to attend to
the writing and pen-making, and nothing else, during the
hour above named. All writing books shall have the
names and ages of the scholars written upon them.
Sec. 8. The first class shall keep arithmetical manu-
scripts; and particular attention must be paid to the hand
writing, spelling, use of capitals, punctuation, and neatness
and order of the figures.
Chapter II.
Books to be used in the Public Shools.
Sec. I. Worcester’s Primer; National Spelling Book;
Pierpont’s Young Reader; Worcester’s Third and Fourth
Books; Peter Parley’s Geography; Olney’s Geography
and Atlas; Greenleaf’s Introduction to the National Arith-
metic; Greenleaf’s National Arithmetic ; Murray’s Gram-
mar ; Murray’s Abridged Grammar ; Towndrow’s Writing
Books; Goodrich’s History of the United States; Com-
stock’s Philosophy ; Holbrook’s Geometry; Day’s Alge-
bra; Newman’s Rhetoric; Bowditch’s Navigator; Web-
ster’s Dictionary; Bible.
Chapter HI.
Sec. 1. The schools shall be kept six hours in the
day. The intermission shall be one hour in the winter,
and one hour and a half in the summer season.
SEC. 2. A recess of ten minutes shall be invariably
allowed during the summer season, at the close of each
hour, during which the scholars shall be occupied, under
the direction of the teacher, in exercise and recreation in
the open air.
REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
73
SEC. 3. The teachers shall make constant use of the
black boards in the instruction of every class: — and for
this purpose the committee would recommend that they
follow the directions and suggestions contained in Bum-
stead’s manual.
SEC. 4. Weekly reviews, and frequent recurrence to
past lessons, should be required of each class. It is deemed
of great importance, that there should be an appropriate
time for every exercise.
SEC. 5. The scholars should be supplied by their
parents, masters, or guardians with books. If they are
not so supplied, it is the duty of the teacher to notify the
parents, masters or guardians what books their children
want. If they are not then furnished, the teacher must
inform the Prudential Committee, what books are needed.
SEC. 6. Teachers shall give constant attention to the
care and cleanliness of the school-houses and out-build-
ings, and shall give immediate notice to the Prudential
Committee, whenever any injuries have been committed,
or repairs are needed. They shall also give special at-
tention to the heating and ventilation of the school rooms,
and shall adopt all necessary measures for the promotion
of the health and comfort of the scholars.
SEC. 7. No teacher shall read any newspaper or book
for his own recreation, during school hours; but shall
strictly attend to the duties of the school.
SEC. 8. All the schools shall be opened, in the
morning, by reading a portion of the Bible, which it is
recommended should be accompanied by a devotional ex-
ercise. The Bible may be read separately by the teachers
or by the scholars, or by both in connection. It shall be
considered the privilege of good readers in all classes,
occasionally to take part in reading the Bible ; but it shall
not be permitted to any scholars who do not read correct-
ly to engage in this exercise. All the scholars should be
furnished with Bibles, that they may be used for the open-
ing exercise.
SEC. 9. Any scholar who is tardy or absent shall pro-
duce a written excuse from his parent, master, or guardian,
for his tardiness or absence, or be subject to correction.
7 4
REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
SEC. 10. When scholars are frequently absent or tardy,
though they produce written excuses, they shall be report-
ed to the Prudential Committee, who may admonish or
suspend such scholars, or dismiss them, subject to an ap-
peal to the School Committee.
SEC. II. No scholar shall be permitted to leave school
before the regular hour of closing, except in case of sick-
ness or some pressing emergency.
SEC. 12. The discipline to be maintained in the schools
shall, as far as may be, be such as is exercised by a kind,
judicious, and faithful parent in his family: and corporal
punishment shall be avoided except in cases in which it is
rendered absolutely necessary.
SEC. 13. Any scholar who shall be guilty of flagrant
misconduct or whose example is seen to be very injurious,
or whose reformation after repeated admonition appears
to be hopeless, shall be subjected to such penalties as may
be prescribed by the Prudential Committee, to whom the
case shall be forthwith reported; subject to an appeal to
the Board.
SEC. 14. It is the duty of instructors in conformity
to the Laws of the Commonwealth to exert their best
endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth
committed to their care and instruction, the principles of
piety, justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love to their
country, humanity, and universal benevolence; sobriety,
industry and frugality; chastity, moderation, and temper-
ance; and those other virtues which are the ornament of
human society, and the basis upon which a republican
constitution is founded ; and to endeavour to lead their
pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear
understanding of the tendency of the above mentioned
virtues to preserve and perfect a republican constitution
and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote
their future happiness; and also to point out to them the
evil tendency of the opposite vices.
Chapter IV.
SEC. 1. At the first and monthly visits it is the duty
of the School Committee to examine into the state and
REGULATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ?5
progress of the schools; to see whether the scholars are
supplied with books; to see that they are classed and
tasked according to these regulations; and to give such
advice and encouragement to the Teacher and pupils as
they may think proper.
SEC. 2. At the closing visit each class will be required
to go through an examination in all the branches to which
it has attended— proceeding in order from the lowest to
the highest. The Teacher should refrain from prompt-
ing. Questions should be put to the scholars with prompt-
ness and spirit, that answers may be returned in like
manner.
Sec. 3. Writing Books, Arithmetical, or other manu-
scripts, should be presented to the Committee for inspec-
tion at the commencement of the examination.
SEC. 4. Inquiry will be made as to the moral instruc-
tion given; and also as to the manners and morals of the
school. The law of the Commonwealth requires that the
children shall be instructed in good behaviour.
SEC. 5. The law requires that the scholars shall be
supplied with books by their parents, masters, or guardi-
ans. If they are not so furnished, they shall be supplied
at the expense of the town, and the cost thereof be added
by the assessors to the next annual tax of such parents,
masters, or guardians, unless the assessors shall be of
opinion that such parent, master, or guardian, is unable
to defray the expense of such books.
Adopted by the School Committee , April 1843.
JOEL LAKE, Chairman .
Richard Phillips, Jr., Sedy.
The foregoing'.is a reprint of a broadside printed at the
time, three copies having been found recently. — Editor.
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
The Rev. Asahel Huntington was born in Franklin,
Conn., educated at Dartmouth College, and ordained
pastor of the Topsfield church in 1789, where he remained
until his death in 1813. He married Alethea Lord of
Pomfret, Conn. Their oldest son, Elisha, was Lieutenant-
Governor of Massachusetts in 1853 and one of the follow-
ing letters was written by their other son, Asahel, who
became Clerk of Essex County Courts and Mayor of
Salem. This correspondence, etc., was found among
several hundred sermons written by Mr. Huntington, which
are now in the possession of the Editor.
To the legal voters in Topsfield assembled in Town-
Meeting April 6th, 1801.
Gentlemen
I should be very unwilling to ask a favor of you, in this
public manner, did I not view my request as perfectly
reasonable.
What I ask is some allowance on account of the de-
preciated value of Money.
That money is of less value, or that the general articles
of consumption are much higher in price, than when I
settled in this Town, is to me very evident, tho’ some, have
lately said, that there is no material difference between
now & then. To those who are of this opinion, I would
observe, that at & after my settlement here, Indian corn
was sold for 3/ pr bushel, Rye at 4/ or 4/6, Flour at
28/6 pr bbl., Butter at /yd & /8 pr lb. Labor in the best
of the season was 2/ pr day. Labor by the month, for
the summer season, was 30/. Wood was 9/ pr cord, &
I bought english hay at 33/ at 36/ & at 40 pr ton. Let
(76)
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
77
any man look back ten or twelve years, & he will find the
above statement nearly, or quite accurate. For ye last
seven years, at least, there has been a very great difference
in the above named & other articles of country produce.
But some may say I have received compensation. I have
received that which was of material advantage to me, I
acknowledge, & I take this opportunity to thank my ben-
efactors, whoever they are.
What I have received, in the light of compensation, is
this, viz. — Six years ago last fall, & in the spring follow-
ing, I was assisted by individuals in covering part of my
barn, & in building a shed near the meeting-house. The
whole amount contributed towards these objects was
about 41 Dollr. The remaining part of ye expence I was
answerable for. I also received from individuals, in labor,
money, & otherwise, after the vote of 2o£ , about j£.
(Of the kindness of some individuals, beside what I have
now mentioned, I would not be unmindful). I have made
the above statement, that what I have received, might not
be under-rated, nor over-rated. Thus, Gentlemen, you
have a general view of the compensation I have received
for the seven or eight years past, thro* the whole of which
time, money has been materially less valuable, than when
I settled in this Town.
Now, Gentleman, many considerations induce & encour-
age me to ask your farther assistance. Laborers receive,
at least, twice the sum per day or month which they did
formerly. The servants of the public, in the civil line,
have been generally favored with an increase of their
salaries, & fees: — some an hundred per cent, some fifty.
Ministers of the Gospel have also, generally been favored
in this way for six, & seven years past some of them have
received $o£, some $o£> & some an hundred £ per annum,
in addition to their stated salaries. Beside, as to myself,
if the Town will believe me, I can inform them, that the
stated salaries of Ministers, in general in the circle of my
acquaintance, are considerably more than mine. In this
county, I know of but two ministers who have been set-
tled within the last 20 years, whose means of support are
not considerably better than mine.
78
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
The above considerations, & finding also my family ex-
penses increased, have induced me to solicit your farther
aid. I am also encouraged in my present attempt, by the
belief that my request will be viewed by you all, as hav-
ing reason, & justice to support it. I am also encouraged
in my request, by the full belief, that were I to ask a favor
of you individually, you would readily grant it. I do not
remember that I have ever asked a favor of any individu-
al in the Town, who did not readily grant my request. If
therefore as individuals, you are thus ready to oblige, I
have much to expect from you in your corporate or town
capacity. You are sensible, Gentlemen, that it is now
four years since anything of this kind has been attempted ;
and tho’ I remember there was some opposition, at that
time, to the plan of making me a consideration; yet I am
persuaded, that after more mature reflection on the case,
your judgment, must, by this time, have been formed in
my favor.
I have only therefore, to request you to vote me such
a sum, as in your judgment, I ought to receive & such a
sum as you would be willing to receive were you in my
case, & such, as may render my circumstances less em-
barrasing.
Wishing you direction in all wisdom & righteousness;
& much unanimity in all your public deliberations. I
subscribe myself your servant in
the Gospel, —
Asahel Huntington
To Capt. Nathaniel Hammond.
Town Clerk of Topsfield.
To be communicated to sd Town assembled in legal Town
Meeting.
The town records show that “The question was put to
see if the Town will make the Revd. Asahel Huntington
any consideration respecting the high price of provisions
and it passed in the Negative.” — Editor .
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
7 9
From a memorandum book kept by Rev. Asahel
Huntington.
John Lambert came here Saturday July 2i, 1804. Dr.
to paper, .20; quills, .10; writing book, .06 ; pair of shoes,
$1.00; absent at Thanksgiving, 3 weeks. December 1 5th.
Received of Mrs. Lambert for John’s board, $30.00.
Lydia Emerson came here to board July 12, 1804.
Left here Oct. 13, 1804. She came to board April 15,
1805 and left July 30, 1805.
John Lambert Dr. to cutting out a coat and trousers,
.25; to making coat, .66|; vest, .333! pantaloons, .33;
trowsers, .12^; a thick coat, .83; skein silk, .06; making
round jacket, .42 ; \ yd. brown Holland, .082.
Nabby Hammond came here to board Aug. 15, 1804.
Asa Wildes came here to board Apr. 4, 1804.
May 14, 1805. Bought of Mr. Dutch 50 lb. beef at
6 cts. per lb., a barrell fish, $8.00.
Aug. 28, 1804. Betsy Searle came here to board.
June 3, 1805. George Washington Heard [son of Hon.
John Heard] came here to board.
Nov. 5, 1804. Began school near the Meeting House.
June 5, 1806. Lent Mrs. Hannah Holyoke [of Box-
ford] 30 dollars.
Nov. 20, 1804. I hereby acknowledge myself bound
to pay Deacon John Gould Treasurer to the Library
Society 20/
Mar. 3, 1806. Nathaniel Tenny began school here.
July 29, 1805. James B. Price, to \ bunch quills, $o.i2|.
Mrs. Brown, Cr. by weaving 41 yds at 4|, by spinning
2 run at 4 \= 1 6. l\ = $2.69.
Paid Coburn for Doctr. Cleaveland for carding 4 lb
wool at .1 1 = .44.
Sally Andrews came here to board April 15th, 1806.
Alethea and Mary Ann boarded at Mrs. Porter’s 10
weeks. Sept. 8th, 1806.
Was absent at Election 2 weeks.
8o
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
Hitty Meriam came here to board April 2ist, 1806.
Left here July 26th.
Lydia Emerson came here April 29th. Left here Aug.
9th. Boarded here 12 weeks at 125 cents per week,
$15.00.
Borrowed of Doctr Cleaveland $40.50, Nov. 17, 1806.
Mar. 10, 1806. Sent 17 Dollars by David Cummings
to Captn. Ziba Huntington of Lebanon, N. H., for keep-
ing colt.
Dr. Cleaveland, Cr. by bottle of spirits of Turpentine,
8 lb. butter, cash 8 cents postage, 1 quart Malaga wine,
J lb. Nitre, crackers, 17 cents, 2 quarts strong bier, 15 lb.
Hogs lard.
Mar. 9, 1807. Nehemiah Cleaveland began school and
to dine here.
Jan. 14,1807. R. Rudd, Cr. by tapping John Holland’s
shoes. By tapping Wm. Jackson’s boots.
July 20, 1808. Edward A. Porter, Dr. to board, 15
weeks.
Oct. 2, 1808. Edward Horsman came here to board.
Dec. 20, 1808. Benjamin Cook came here Oct. 7th
and left this day.
Nov. 19, 1805. Rev. Ebenr Dutch, Cr. by a Maple
Table, $3.50 — by Bushel Rye, $1.58 — by Marble Table,
$2.00.
Dec. 4, 1805. Elijah Porter came here to board. Dr.
to pair shoes, $1.00 — to pair Boots, $3.20 — He left here
Mar. 4, 1807. Alethea and Mary Ann [Mr. Huntington’s
children?] there 56 weeks.
Mr. Huntington seems to have loaned money at various
times as the following list shows.
Feb. 12, 1802.
Jan. 29, 1805.
May 29, 1801.
Aug. 20, 1804.
Notes against
Ebenezer Dutch
$250 00
350 00
150 00
71 60
<<
«<
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
81
Oct.
10,
1804.
Ebenezer Dutch
150 00
May 18,
1805.
i 4
100 00
July
18,
1803.
Nat. Gould
27 00
July
7>
1800.
Doctr Lord
100 00
July
1789.
Gurdon Huntington
10 00
Sept.
12,
1802.
Isah. Fuller
60 00
Apr.
2,
1804.
Sam. Hood
42 00
Sept. 13,
1800.
Jacob Andrews
23 84
Aug.
8,
1803.
80 00
Feb.
1,
1803.
John Gould, Springfield
100 00
Oct.
13,
1802.
Christopher Paige
100 00
July
J4>
1802.
Samuel Holyoke [of Boxford]
61 25
May
5>
1797.
Parker Cleaveland
40 00
Mar.
28,
1801.
Robert Perkins
82 00
July
Sept.
12,
1805.
1805.
Luke Coffeen
Gordon Dorrance, Minister of
50 00
Windsor
37 50
Rev. Elizai Holyoke [of Box-
ford]
49 00
May
7>
1805.
Lent Mrs. Holyoke
10 00
Mar. 29,
1806.
Jacob Andrews
50 00
Oct.
9*
l8l I.
Aaron Barrett
100 00
June
6,
l8ll.
Theodore Cross of Wear [N. H.]
45 00
Oct.
26,
l8lO.
John Gould of Springfield
60 92
Jonas Merriam
20 00
Oct.
6,
l8lO.
Asa Towne
30 00
Joseph Symonds
109 00
Robert Perkins
83 00
Zac Gould Jr.
50 00
Simon Gould
10 00
Asa Perkins
50 00
Plainfield, July nth, 1815.
My dear son
I received your letter dated June 28th. In the reception
of it I was comforted. You speak of your brother Elisha
& of your sister respecting their thoughtfulness on subjects
of infinite moment. I hope my dear son that your mind
is impressed with some suitable sense of your lost condi-
82
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
tion by nature, of your obligations to love God supreme-
ly & to flee from sin as being committed against a being
of spotless purity, & who cannot look thereon but with
abhorrence & to whose view all our thoughts are naked.
This is a subject I desire you may be most solicitous about.
We have no encouragement for one moments delay. Now
is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Seek
first the kingdom of God & his righteousness & all other
things shall be added unto you. It seems that you are yet
undecided in your choice of the College for your education
& are wishing to know my decisions in order to settle
your great question. The fact is I have no particular
plan as yet. My mind has been more occupied with the
concerns of my friends, than with my own situation. I
have a general plan in my own mind which I have men-
tioned to no friend. That is to consider myself as hav-
ing no fixed place of abode as long as my children are all of
them unsettled in life should I live so long. I once thought
that to be without a home which I could call my own
must be an unpleasant state, but I find it otherwise. I hope
I have profited, by a more habitual sense of my entire
dependence on God for every good, which my situation
is calculated to awaken. Then I feel the highest depend-
ence. I see the greatest fitness in the Divine government
& consequently feel the most happy. I think I wish to
be where I can be most useful on the whole. At present
I feel myself to be in that place. Your aunt Fuller is
much better than when I wrote you. Still her health is
feeble, her family large, her cares numerous, her husband
much from home. Under all circumstances I feel unwilling
to leave her at present. I think I shall probably tarry
until the heat of summer is past. On many accounts I
should be glad to be at Topsfield. I could take some care
about your clothing if I were there which will not be con-
venient for me here. You will want shirts and neck cloths,
& other things, probably, beside a better coat. You must
ask your Uncle and Aunt to look at your clothing & see
what you need, and your Uncle will provide as he sees
your wants are, excepting the article of stockings, that I
will endeavor to provide.
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
83
Your Uncle & Aunt Douglass have been taking a trip to
New York returned yesterday. Your aunt’s health which
was not very good, I hope is improved by the journey.
At New Haven they went on board the steam-boat for
N. Y., had a pleasant passage. When at New Haven they
saw your cousin William Danielson who enquired with
much seeming interest about your determinations and
said that he should be pleased to have you go to N. H.
& should like to have you soon with him. He has a lad
from Litchfield who he took for this quarter by the desire
of his parents, but if he could know seasonably that you
woud like to take his place he would reserve it for you.
To me this would be a very happy circumstance. Were
you to go the world over you could not find a room-mate
more desirable to your mother. Your cousin informed
your aunt D that there were funds for the purpose of as-
sisting some who needed & that it might be in his power
to obtain something for you. He had thought of writing
to your Preceptor on the subject, I suppose to request
some statement from him respecting your necessities in
case you chose that college. He requested that I would
write & give him information respecting you. I don’t
know what to write without knowing more of your feel-
ings. I wish you to decide for yourself as your Uncle seems
to decline advising you which college to choose & in every-
thing else ask him how it is proper to proceed, & I wish
to know your determination as soon as may be. If Mr.
Adams writes I wish to know it because it would be un-
necessary for me to write. If you conclude to go to Han-
over I shall wish to inform your cousin William. Should
you go to Dartmouth I should be glad to have you come
on with your brother & visit your connexions here if your
uncle should think it advisable. Wherever I am I shall
endeavor to have a room by myself as much as I wish,
whenever my children can be with me, and endeavor to
make them feel as much at home as possible. May we
all learn to be contented in the state in which we are
placed & learn to profit by everything that is passing be-
fore us. Hitherto our situation has been ordered in great
kindness. May we never forget our obligations to that
84
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
Being who governs all things. The stage will be in soon.
I must close with only adding that I shall ever remember
you
with tender affection.
Alethea Huntington
N. B. I wish you to superscribe your sister’s letter &
send it by the first opportunity.
Mr. Asahel Huntington, Phillips Academy,
Andover, Mass.
[Mrs. Nehemiah Cleaveland to Mrs. Asahel Huntington.]
Experience to Alethea.
A visit this afternoon will be very acceptable to the
former from the latter, as an inducement she informs that
Mr. Conant expects the singers to meet at his house this
Evening in particular the Messrs Towne with their
stringed instruments, viz., Bass, Counter & Treble. It is
said they perform well, ask Mr. Huntington to come
Tuesday, I o’clock A. M.
Newbury Port, August 9th, 1820.
My dear Mother
I reached Boston about 9 O’clock Thursday evening.
Nothing transpired on the journey worth particularizing.
I ought not to have said so. I had an opportunity of see-
ing a most perfect contrast in two young ladies. One of
them joined me at Douglass. She began to talk before
she got into the stage, and kept up a continual torrent of
words, as long as I had the pleasure of her company,
which was about two hours. With the loquacity of the
other lady, I was not at all troubled. She took the stage
at Medfield and rode to Boston. She appeared remark-
ably grave and dignified. She answered such questions
as I asked her; and that was all. If I asked her opinion
upon any subject, unless it could be expressed by yes or
no, she would usually reply, I don’t know — when I am
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
85
confident she must have known, and must have had an
opinion. I remained in Boston until Saturday morning,
visited my friend Redman. He lives in Cambridge about
a mile and a half from his shop, which is in Boston. He
still carries on the business of paper-staining, his father
died very suddenly in an epileptick fit. I called also upon
his sister, who is married to a young merchant. I was
rather unwell while in Boston and indeed have been so
ever since until today. I took cold in consequence of rid-
ing in the evening the day I left you. I made use of your
medicine — drank two large tumblers of warm water. This
experiment has confirmed my opinion very much in favour
of its utility. Saturday morning I took the stage and rode
as far as Lynn, where meeting with an old friend of Elisha’s,
a Mr. Knight, I left the stage and rode with this gentle-
man to Marblehead — found Elisha well and in good spirits,
and what is even better than this, he has determined to
leave Marblehead at the expiration of another quarter —
and what is better even than this , he has almost come to
the determination to study the profession of Physic. I
think we all have cause of congratulation and joy that he
is in so hopeful a way. He begins to think what he ought
to have thought long ago, that he must either make a
business of his present employment for life or study a pro-
fession. I suggested to him what you said to me with re-
gard to his visiting you at the close of the present quarter.
He seemed to be of the same opinion. I think you need
not look for him, until he leaves Marblehead. I called
upon Mr. Cummins at Salem. He made the same pro-
posal to me that he sometime since made to Doct. Cleave-
land. He did not wish, he said, to interfere with any
arrangements that I might have made at Newburyport,
but he did wish, that in case I should conclude to take up
my connexion there, I would remove to Salem. He in-
troduced the subject himself. I think it will be rather a
delicate business to manage and can't tell yet what course
I shall pursue. I reached Topsfield on Monday, found
Uncle C’s family all well. Lucy has commenced her
second quarter at Salem. The prospect of settling a min-
ister at T., are very encouraging. Mr. Dennis has received
86
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
an unanimous call, unanimous so far as this, that there
were none who voted against him, there were two or three
at the meeting who did not act at all. There is consider-
able opposition to the salary, which is fixed at five hun-
dred dollars. Mr. D. will give his answer next sabbath. I
am authorized to state that it will be in the affirmative. The
sovereign people are yet in the dark, and are forming vari-
ous conjectures as to the result. You can easily surmise
who my authority is. They have raised five hundred
dollars by subscription, as a settlement. I remained only
one day at Topsfield. Mr. Wildes has felt considerable
anxiety about me. He wrote letters of enquiry both to
Topsfield and Marblehead. Doctor Cleaveland holds two
notes against you, the principal of both of which is six
hundred and forty dollars, the amount must be about
seven hundred and eighty dollars. I don’t recollect the
exact date, but this calculation cannot be far out of the
way. One note of $518 was given 1816 the other of $122
in 1818. I was sorry that I forgot to take your bill against
Mary Ann. I hope you will find the home establishment
useful and easy of operation.
Remember me affectionately to Hezekiah and Mary
Ann and all friends at Killingly. I want to hear from
you soon. How does the little cousin do? Does H.,
keep up his resolution?
Your affectionate son,
Asahel Huntington.
N. B. The enclosed letter I found in the Post Office
at Topsfield. I wish H. would write me respecting Doct.
C’s sheep. He seemed to be not fully decided. I told
the Doct. I thought he would take them.
Mrs. Alethea Huntington,
Killingly, Con.
Topsfield, April 22, 1826.
My Dear Sister
What changing scenes and vicissitudes do we con-
stantly witness and experience in our journey of life?
Many solemn and affecting changes have taken place
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
87
among our dear friends and acquaintances, since we saw
each other last. Some in their narrow cells are laid till
the Resurrection Morn. The evening after the death of
our excellent Brother at Byfield, which solemn event had
cast its gloom over every object. Lucy received a letter
from her cousin Mary Ann which informed us of the
Death of our Inestimable friend Mrs. Mary Warner;
this was solemn tidings to me. How rapidly did my
thoughts fly back to the scenes of early life. She was
the companion of my childhood and youth, my sister, my
Friend. You remember our early attachment to each
other and the invariable friendship that subsisted between
us, but I hope and trust that our loss is her unspeakable
gain. It was very comforting to me to hear that she
manifested such a child-like submission and Christian res-
ignation to the will of her Heavenly Father in the closing
scene of life; her trials have been great, but we have
reason to believe they have been sanctified to her. Like-
wise our excellent and tried friend the Reved Walter Lydn
has closd his eyes upon all sublunary things, an event
he has long been waiting for, and expecting, and I trust
found him prepared for that world where there is no pain,
sickness or death ; and where the tears will be forever
wiped from his eyes. I think much of those dear rela-
tives and friends, their earthly loss is great, but I hope
they will find that divine support and consolation which
the world cannot give nor take from them. We were
agreeably surprised last Saturday evening on the arrival
of our Con. friends. It was so totally unexpected that we
could hardly believe our own eyes ; we feel grateful for a
short visit, but should have been gratified had a longer
one been consistant with their other engagements. Mary
receivd a letter from Mary Ann last Thursday. Lucy wrote
an answer to it and sent it in the mail a few hours before
B. Fuller arrived; I mention the circumstance as Lucy
wrote to Mary Ann a few weeks since which she says she
has never received. Mary Ann appears to be in low spirits
when she wrote, she says she has been troubled with a
distressing cough for some time which in addition to her
usually feeble health, I think must debilitate her very
88
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
much. Perhaps there is nothing that will be more likely
to recruit her strength than a journey taken leisurely. We
had fully expected that Sister Douglass and Mary Ann
would have come on to Topsfield as soon as the season
was sufficiently advanced but Mary Ann informed us that
she believed that her Aunt D., had made up her mind to
continue at Plainfield this summer. I wrote to Sister
Douglass a few weeks since and gave her some account of
Topsfield people which I suppose she has communicated
to you. I mentioned the Death of Mr. A. Fosters widow
and Mr. Josiah Lambson. Mr. L’s wickness was a lung
fever, terminated life in a few days. He had his reason
perfectly, was alive and awake to the solemn change he
was about to make of worlds, and was very anxious for
the salvation of his soul, was much in prayer to God, and
it is not for us to say that he was not heard and escaped
even at the eleventh hour. Since that Mr. David Cummings
died very suddenly of an apoplectic fit; last Sabbath Mr.
Samuel Fisk died in the Alms House. We are continually
reminded of our duty, to be wise, to understand, and con-
sider our latter end. We hope Mary Ann will come on
to Topsfield as soon as the weather and travelling will do,
and why cannot her dear Mother accompany her. Be as-
sured my dear sister it would be very gratifying to us all.
We feel that we are entitled to a share of your company
while you are in an unsettled state. We hope Sister
Douglass has not wholly relinquished the idea of coming
to Topsfield this Spring. We cannot but think all her friends
would think it best for her. This week on Wednesday
your Brother was under a necessity of going to Newbury-
port, and I went as far as Byfield with him. We have a
grandson there two months old whom we had never seen,
we found our friends there in usual health. Our dear
Brother’s Widow appears to be a disconsolate woman, she
and her daughter continue in the same house they have
ever lived in. Aunt Channel and her daughter are in and
out frequently. Aunt Channel has enjoyed better health
this winter than she did last. She feels the Death of her
B. very sensibly but she appears perfectly calm and com-
posed under the bereaving stroke. We returned from
HUNTINGTON FAMILY PAPERS.
89
Byfield Thursday toward evening and had the pleasure to
find Mr. Sheppard here from Andover. He came here the
evening we left home, was very sorry that we were absent.
He returned early the next morning as the examination is
next week. He thought he could not stay any longer. He
appears to be in good health. I believe your sons are
both well. Elisha, I suppose you know, has been confined
with a fever this spring, but I believe he has recovered
his usual health. My husband saw Asahel at Newbury-
port and lodged in the same chamber with him. Asahel
has had so much business of late that we have seen him
but little. He rode up and kept fast day with us. He is
in good health. We had a letter from Elisha a few days
since, he and his brother John were well when he wrote.
We are making quite a revolution in our family affairs.
We expect Mr. Gallup and family to move in to that part
of the house you occupied, next Monday. We expect them
to take charge of the farm and Diary, but we have been
obliged to do considerable to accommodate them with room
for the Diary work, cheese, &c. This new arrangement is in
consequence of William’s plan of leaving Topsfield which
he has had in contemplation for nearly a year. The idea of
his leaving us is painful, but you know what those feelings
are better than I can tell you. You have parted with one
after another of your dear sons. We must expect this
while here in this changing world and we ought cheerfully
to submit to them as they are meeted out to us by our
Heavenly Father, who guides the wheels of Providence
with an unerring hand. Mary Ann wrote the last she
heard from Abington, Mrs. Lyon had had a stroke of the
Palsy, and that her Uncle Lord still continued feeble. I feel
anxious to hear more particularly from those dear friends.
Do my dear sister drop a letter into the mail soon if it
contains but a few lines and let us hear from you all. My
Husband and children join with me in expressing an affec-
tionate remembrance to all our dear friends in your vicinity.
from your affectionate Sister,
E. Cleaveland.
Mrs. Alethea Huntington.
Plainfield, Con.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
1704— 1730.*
COMMUNICATED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
Sargt. Stanley is chosen by the Selectmen to be their
Clark for this present year 1704.
25 Augst 1704. Rate, ^80., with an over pluss of
£6. 10. 4. Comited to Thomas Howlett, Constable, “for
to Collect and gather up.”
5 January 1704-5, added afterward to the above Rate,
1 8s.
Rate made for Mr. Capen for 1704,^50. 15. 9. in pay
and Money £21. 15. 11. besides Endicotts and Killums,
which was £ 1. 9. o.
10 January 1704-5, Town Rate for 1704, amounting to
£1 7. o. 3. “Commited to Thomas Howlett Constable for
to gather up and to pay as followeth, viz:”
Lieut. Ephraim Dorman for going Representative, £$.
18. o.
Sargt. Daniel Redington for going Representative, £3.
15. o.
Philip Knight to make up what his Rate was too short,
£i- 1 6- o-
*These are the earliest selectmen’s records or financial records of
the town, other than those to be found intermingled with the records
kept by the town clerk. The records kept by the earlier town treas-
urers are not preserved with other town records and probably were
considered the private property of the officials. Continuous treas-
urer’s records have been preserved since 1814. The records here
printed are somewhat condensed in form from the originals but all
facts have been preserved.
(90)
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
91
Thomas Perley for Tithing Mens Staves & Selectmens
Book,^o. 8. 1.
Clerke Elisha Perkins for Sweeping ye Meeting House,
£\. 1. o.
Clerke Elisha Perkins & Corpl. Jacob Town and Samuel
Stanley towards pay for ye Watch House, ^5. o. o.
the remaindr of ye Rate to be payd in to the Selectmen
for the Towns use.
Samll. Stanley Clerke for the Select men
21 Feb: 1704/5, Corpll. John Curtis brought in his
Acquitance in full of the Town Rate & Ministers Rate
commited to him to Colect the year he was Constable for
Topsfield which Records are Recorded in the Town Book :
as Attests the Town Clerke
27 feb: 1704/5, Ephraim Willd brought in his Aquit-
ance in full of Mr Capens Rate for ye Year he was Con-
stable of Topsfield which was in ye Year 1692
27 feb: 1704/6, John Cummings brought in his Aquit-
ance in full of Mr Capens Rate Commited to him to
colect in ye year 1700 when he was constable for Tops-
field
feb. 27, 1704/5 To the Selectmen of Topsfield this is
to let you understand that you [are to] pay John Dwaniel
Eight Shillings for wood he did bring to Cap How [last]
Summer for ye Watch; whereof fail you not, [torn] In
what I can [torn] John Gould Capt
27 feb: 1704/5 At a Lawfull Meeting of ye Select
Men Sargt. John Gould is ordered to pay unto Sargt
Daniel Redington tow Pound & ten Shillings out of the
five Pounds which he was to give for the old Meeting
House: and the rest of said five Pounds he is to pay into
the Select Men to be disposed of for the Towns use:
In Answer to an order from Capt Gould to pay John
Dwaniell Eight Shillings for Wood he did bring for ye
watch : have ordered Constable Howlett to pay said
Dwaniell Eight Shillings out of ye Town Rate which is in
his hands
6: March 1704/5 To John Gould you are hereby
ordered to pay unto Sargt Daniel Redington £1. 10. o.
out of that money which you was ordered to pay unto ye
Select Men
92
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
II of June 1705 Recconed with Ebenezer Averell for
the Town, County and Country Rates for ye Year wherein
he was Constable and there rest Due to the Town, the
Just Sum of £ 2 . 14. 3. Whereof said Averell is herby
ordered by ye Selectmen to pay £2. 14. o. of ye above-
said Sum to the Commitie for the Meeting House
List made for ye Country in 1705 amounting to £ 141.
16. 5. and Comitted to John Gould Constable to Colect,
[torn] being £9. 5. 9. with Mr. Endicots, and Thomas
[Killums], over and above what he is to pay to ye Coun-
try Treasurer, out of which he is to pay £4. 2. o. to our
Deputy Elisha Perkins.
Rate made at ye same time and Comited to Jacob
Towne Constable amounting to £48. 2. o. to be paid to
ye County Treasurer:
Rate made In ye Same year to Defray Town and County
Charges amounting to £11. I. 7. and Comitted to John
Gould Constable: out of which he is to pay £5. 8. 4. to
ye County Treasurer and ye Rest to ye Selectmen.
Nov. 28, 1705 Rate made at ye same Time for ye above-
said End amounting to £3. 13. 5. and Comitted to Jacob
Town Constable to be payed to the Selectmen.
In March 1705 the selectmen did agree with 'Clark
Elisha Perkins to give him eighteen shiling for Sweeping
of the meeting House this present year:
Decbr. 15 1705. Constable John Gould is to pay to
Mr Capen 18s. money out of ye Town Rate that is in his
hands: also 10s. to mr Joseph Whipple of Ipswich Joyner
al which money is due for varnishing the pulpet
Decembr. 15, 1705. Rate made for Mr Capen in ye
year 1705 amounting to ^40. in pay: and £16. 10. 10.
in money and Commited to John Gould Constable to Col-
lect and pay into Mr Capen : Mr. Endicut & Thomas Kil-
liams Rate are included.
Rate made at ye same time for Mr. Capen amounting
to £ 12. in pay : and £$. 5. o. in money and Commited to
Jacob Town Constable to Collect and pay into Mr. Capen.
4 January 1705 or 6. John Gould Cunstable pay unto
Thomas Perley^o. 14. 4. for making a place to hold ye
Town Stock in within ye New Meeting House: and allso
£0. 1. 6. for a lock for it:
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
93
4 Jan. 1705 or 6. John Gould Constable pay to Clerk
Perkins :£$. 4.0. Money that is in your hands for his
going Deputy.
4 January 1705-6. Jacob town Constable pay to Clerke
Elisha Perkins £$. for his going Deputy.
18 febru. 1705/6. Clark Elisha perkins is payd that
1 8s. that the Selectmen did agree to give him for Sweep-
ing the meeting House (out or in that five pounds that
Constable Gould is ordered to pay to him for going Dep-
uty).
Constable John Gould pay is. to Ebenezer Averill and to
Thomas Town is. for preamblating with wenham which
he is to pay out of ye money [which] is Due for ye old
meeting House. Sd Gould [is to pay] to himself out of
sd money Due for ye old meeting house twelve [shillings]
money ye town Gave him for going to Bostown.
february 18, 1705/6 Rec[kone]d with Constable John
Gould on ye acount of ye old meeting house: and thear
is yet due to ye Town fourteen shillings Money:
Elisha pirkins is Chosen Clark for ye Selectmen of
Topsfield for this year this 8th of march 1705/6.
17 May 1706. Sargt Samuell Stanley is Chosen Seeler
for this year to seal waights and measuers and is sworn.
17 May 1706. Isaac Esty gave ye selectmen an acount
that he had paid all ye town Rat Commited to him for to
colect when he was constable for ye year 1694 but his
Recept he did not shew.
May 17, 1706. Isaac Esty brought in his Acquittance
in full of Mr. Capens Rat for ye year 1694 which Recept
my be found in the town Book.
30 Aug. 1706. Country Rate of ^46. 18. 7. commited
to John nickolls constable to gather up on the South Side
of the River and to pay to the treasurer £ 46 . and the
Remainder 18s. he is to pay to the Select men or thaer
order.
to John nickols Rate afterwards 12s. 7d.
30 August 1706. Rate of £ 141. o. o. Comited to Thomas
Dorman Constabell one ye north Side of ye River to
gather up and colect and pay unto ye Provence Treasurer
^134. ye Remainder unto ye Select men or their orders.
94
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
Jan. 2:1706. Rate made for Mr. Capen in Pay and
silver and commited to Thomas Dorman constabel for to
colect and pay in to Mr. Capen amounting to £39. 06.
03. and in Silver amounting to £16. 12. 3.
Jan. 2:1706/7. Rate made for Mr Capen in Pay and
silver £12. 14. 6. and in silver £$. 11. 3.
Jan. 27:1706/7 rate to defray town charges £ 2 4. 05.
00. and a town Rate at the same time commited to John
Nickols constabel ^8. 16. 2.
Feb. 25, 1706/7. Sargt. John Gould has paid all ye 14s.
that was dew to the Town for ye old meeting Hous : 3s.
9d. alowed to him his Town Rate to Short.
Jan. 10th 1706/7. Ebenezer Averill Brought in his
acquitance in full of Mr Capens Rat for ye year 1701
which Recept may be found entred in the town Book:
Feb. 25, 1706/7. Constabel John Nickols had an order
to pay to Elisha Perkins £9. one pound of it is out of ye
over Plush of the country Tax and Eight pounds out of
the Town Rate committed to him to gather up.
Jan. 13: 1706/7. Constabell knight Brought in his
Recepts of ye £100 that hee was to collect for ye build-
ing of new meeting hous.
Nathaniel Averell brought his Recepts and it did appear
that he had payd the hundred pounds that he was ordered
to pay out of ye Town Rate as was commited to him to
collect when he was constabel. the hundred pounds was
for part of payment for ye new meeting house.
19 Mar. 1706/7. Reed, of Thomas Dorman Constable
£12. 18. 6.
25 feb. 1706/7. Thomas Dorman orders to pay out
of ye Town Rate to Lieut. Baker; Lieut. Perkins & Sargt.
Redington, £\2. 18. 6. and to Elisha Perkins £6. and to
Sargt. Hovey; Sargt. Stanley & Sargt. Gould, 3s. one
Shilling a man: and to John Prichit Junr. 5s. these orders
past by ye Selectmen.
5 Sept. 1707. County Rate of ^35. 15. o. commited to
Thomas Porter Constable to colect & pay into the prov-
ince Treasury. And a Rate of ^53. 16. o. (with Mr. En-
dicotts farmej commited to Michael Dwaniell Constable
to colect & pay into the Province Treasury.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
95
26 Dec. 1707, reconed with Thomas Dorman Constable
for 1706 for the country & Town Rates comited to him to
colect and he is acquited fully.
31 Dec. 1707. Rate made for Mr. Capen in pay and
money, 1.
Rate made for ye Town & County £5 2 . 14. 11.
1707 An account how ye Town Rate is disposed of.
County Treasurer, 05. 02. 05
Mr. Isaac Peabody for going Representative, 08. 12. 00
Capt John How for Entertaining ye County, 01. 01. 03
Mr Thomas Baker for going to Boston as an
atturney,
Zacheus Perkins for keeping good wife
Waters,
Thomas Gould for keeping ye aforesd.
Waters,
Mr. Bradstreet upon an abatemt. for his last
years Rate,
Ephraim Willds for an abatemt. for last
country Rate
Nathaniel Averell, Ebenezer Averell & Corpl.
Jacob Town is. pr. man for being Comity
Men agst. Boxford,
Elisha Perkins for going Representative,
Thomas Perkins Senr. upon an abatement
for last years County Rate,
£ 4 . I. o. not yet ordred
27 Feb. 1707/8. Thomas Perley Constable you are
hereby ordered to pay to Deacon Samuel Howlett 17s. to
Samuel Stanley 10s. id. to Corpl. Joseph Town 8s. 2d.
to Ebenezer Averell 5s. to Thomas Howlett 5s. & to
Lieut. Tobijah Perkins 5s.
Mar. 2 1707/8. Reed, of Thomas Perley Constable 8s.
2d. by me Joseph Town
Thomas Perkins Senr. is Debtor to ye Town, 00. 06. 00
Timothy Perkins is Debtor to ye Town, 00. 03. 10
April 16 1708. Recconed with John Gould Constable
for ye year 1705 and it appeared by his Records that he
had discharged his Duty Concerning all ye Rates commit-
ed to him to gather in sd. year he was Constable. Mr.
00. 09. 00
02. 00. 00
01. 17. 00
00. 17. 00
00. 05. 00
00. 03. 00
00. 05. 03
00. 08. 00
9 6
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN'S RECORDS.
Capen excepted, and Endicotts & killums Rate weare
abated out of ye overplus of ye Rate; Twelve shillings
overplus remains yet in his hands.
May io, 1708 Reed, of Thomas Perley Constable 5s.
Tobijah Perkins
1 1 June 1708. Reed, of Thomas Perley Constable, 10s.
id. Samuel Stanley.
20 July 1708. Reed of Sarjt. John Gould ye full Sum
commited to him to colect for my use for year 1705. it
being 39 Pounds pay and 15 pounds 10 Shillings money:
I say reed, the full sum abovesd. pr me Joseph Capen
June 15: 1708. Reed, of Consta : Perley, 5s.
Thomas Howlett.
31 Aug. 1708. Rate made for the Country, £ 133. 7. o.
commited to John french Constable to colect & pay into
ye Province Treasurer £ 131. 18. o. and a Rate made for
ye Country £49. 11. O. Comited to Amos Dorman Cons-
table to colect and Pay in to the Province Treasurer £4%.
2. O.
7 Jan. 1708/9. Mr. Capen’s rate in pay £36. 3. o.
and in money ^17. 15. o. and Commited John french
Constabl e.
Mr. Capens rate in pay ^12. 15. o. and in money £6,
2. O. and Commited to Amos Dorman Constable.
7 Jan. 1708/9. Town Rate of £16. 7. 3. and a list
thereof of £ 1 1 . 18. 3. commited to Constable John french ;
allso a list of the above sd. Town Rate of £4. 8. 11. Com-
mited Constable Amos Dorman.
7 Jan. 1708/9. Constable John french to pay out of
the Town Rate, £10. 1. 6. and Constable Amos Dorman
to pay out of ye Town Rate 6s. to Corpl. Jacob Town.
28 Jan. 1708-9 Reed, of Constable John Nichols in
full, ye ministers Rate for 1706 Joseph Capen.
Jan. 24 1708/9. Reed, of Thomas Perley Constable,
17s. Samuel Howlett.
Feb. 3. 1708/9. Reed, of Thomas Perley Consta. 5s.
Ebenezer Averell.
John french Constable ordered to pay Thomas Perley
3s. 4d.
To the Select Men of Topsfield ; Gentlemen: pray be
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
97
pleased to pay to Thomas Perley ye Board hereof that Six
Shillings which is Due to me for Service don in your
town & his Recit shall be your discharg. Abraham How.
Jan. 1708/9. Constable John french ordered to pay
Thomas Perley 6s.
25 March, 1709. Constable Amos Dorman ordered to
pay Capt. Thomas Baker £ 1. 2. o.
1709 Country rate, £ 180. & a list of ^180. with an
over pluss of £ 6 . 18. 3.
20 Dec. 1709. Constable John french ordered to pay
to Mr. Isaac Peabody, Sart. John Gould, and William
Town, 6s. 9d. p Man as is allowed them by ye Town.
Dec. 29. 1709. Payed to Lieut. Tobijah Perkins, £1. 7. 10.
Jan. 1709 or 10. Mister Capens rate ,£73. 12. 9. pay and
money with an over pluss of £1. to be payed into the Se-
lectmen or their order.
March 6. 1704 or 5. Reed, of Thomas Howlett Consta-
ble, 8s. John Dwaniel
Mar. 1705 or 6. Reed, of Thomas Howlett Constable,
£3. 18. my going Representitive. Ephraim Dorman.
Dec. 16, 1709. Reed, of Thomas Howlett Constable,
in full what he was to pay Sarjt. Stanley, Corpll. Jacob
Town and my selfe. Elisha Perkins
19 Jan. 1709 or 10. Reed, of Thomas Howlett Consta-
ble, £3. 15. o. money for my attending at the General
Court. Daniel Redington.
Town rate of £1 7. 10. 10.
29 of Aug. 1710 The Selectmen tooke the Oath be-
longing to them as Assessors in order to ye making of an
Assessment for the Country.
29 Aug. 1710. Country rate of £180. to pay in to the
Province Treasurer; and the over pluss is £2. o. 2. to be
accountable to ye Select Men for.
Mr. Capens rate in pay ^51. 9 4. and in Money £ 20 . 9.
2. with an over pluss of ^1. to be payd to the Select Men
out of said money part:
Rate made to defrey Town Charges, £1 7. 7. 2.
Mar. 10. 1710/11 To Lieut. Tobijah Perkins, £ 14. 2. 8.
Reed, of Constable Hovey, £ 1. 4. 4. in full for ye £4.
o. 6. which was ordered by the Selectmen to my selfe;
Samuel Stanley & Corpl. Jacob Town:
By me Elisha Perkins
98
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
12 Mar. 1710/11 Reed, of Consta. John Nichols, 6s.
6d. upon ye account of ye 13s. which he is behinde of his
rates :
12 Mar. 1710/11. To Lieut. Tobijah Perkins, 6s. 6d.
12 Mar. 1 710/ 1 1. Reckoned with Constable John Hovey
for all his Rates but Mr. Capens Rates and he is fully ac-
quited of all as above sd.
May 22d. 1711. Reed, of Consta. Zacheus Gould £ 2 .
17. 4. Josiah Perkins.
Aug. 31. 1711. Rate made for ye Country, £ 1 80.
25 Dec. 1 7 1 1 . Rate made for Mr. Capen in pay and
Money, £71. 3. II. and on the Same Day a Rate made
for the Town to defrey Town Charges, £ 14. 16. 5.
Dec. 1 7 1 1 . Rate made for the Country, £6. 14.9.
8 Jan. 1 7 1 1 . Reed, of Const. John Nichols, 6s. 6d. in
full of all the Rates Commited to him to gather in the
year 1706.
8th Jany. 1 7 1 1, paid to Lieut. Perkins 6s. 6d. for which
said Perkins remaind. Debtor to ye Town.
29. Feb. 1 7 1 1 or 12. Constable Thomas Robinson is
ordered to pay to Mist: Capen 20s. which was an over
pluss of ye money part of Mr. Capens Rate which said
Constable was to gather in ye year 1710 which is in con-
sideration of Mr. Capens Rate being made Short this
year 171 1.
Aug. 27. 1712 Rate Made for ye Country, ^180.
Apr. 27. 1712. Reed. ^8. 8. o. Thomas Baker.
1712 A Rate Made for Mr Capen in pay, £36. 18.
IO. and in money £ 14. 17. O. and Committed to JMathaniel
Borman Constabel to colect, at ye same time a rate made
for Mr Capen, of £20. 1 1. 2. in pay and money and com-
mited to Nathaniel Porter Constabel to colect and pay to
Mr. Capen acording to Warrant.
1712 Rate Made to defray the County Charge, ^3. 7. 2.
and a rate made to defray The Town charge, £ 20 . 14. o.
1712: Feb. 20: Corpll. Jacob Town is alowed all but
for his last time at Boston.
Augt. 22, 1713. Rate made for the Country, ^180.
Dec. 12th. 1713. Rate made to Defray Town Charges,
^15. 14- 9-
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
99
Dec. 12. 1713. Rate Made for the County, £3. 7* 2-
Dec. 12 1713. Rate made to Defray Town Charges,
£15.14.0.
Dec. 12 1713. Rate made for Mr. Capen amounting
to £72. 13. 4. in pay and money;
30 Aug. 1714. Rate Made for the country, £ 128. 4. 8.
Jan. 6, 1714. Rate made for Mr. Capen, £71. 17* l-
Jan. 6, 1714. Rate made to Defray Town Charges,
£l9- 6. 7-
March 1, 1714/5 The Select Men agreed With William
Averell to Sweep the meeting house & he was to have 18s.
a year for his pains & then he had ye meeting house Key
delievered to him.
27 June 1715. To Daniel Clarke, 10s.
22 Sept. 1715. Rate made to pay ye Contry tax, £ 56.
10. 8. with a over plus of £4. 6. 9.
26 Sept. 1715. Rate made to pay ye Country tax,
£27. 2. o.
Rate made for Mr. Joseph Capen for his Worke in ye
minestare for ye year 1715, £71. 13. O.
Rate made to defray Town Charges, for ye year 1715*
£ 19. 9. 2.
6 Mar. 1715/16. Jacob Pabody Constable is ordered
to pay £2. to Jacob Town Junr. out of ye Town rate for
a wolfe head viz two pounds is to be repaid by ye tresuer
to ye said Constable for ye towns use.
Mar. 6, 1715/16, ye select men agreed with William
Averill to sweep the meeting house and he is to have 18s.
for his pains this year.
Sept. 25 : 1716. Rate made for the country, ^83. 15.
8. and the over pluss is £ 1 . 12. 8.
Dec. 24 1716. Rate made for Mr. Joseph Capen for
his worke in ye minestre for ye year 1716, £'71. 18. 6.
Dec. 24, 1716. Rate made to defray the Town charges,
£ 18 • 1 7- 7
Rate made for the Countrey, £77. O. O.
13 Jan. 1717/8. Rate made for Mr. Capen, £71- o. o.
Rate made to defray town Charges, £g. o. 7.
13 Jan. 1717/8. Rate made for ye County, £ 4 . 7. O.
7: March 1717/18. The Selectmen Chose Nathaniel
Porter Clark of ye Selectmen for that present yeare.
100
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
A Reat made for the ministry, £8 1. 8. 8.
A Rate made for the Town and County,
2 6 March 1718. Received of ye Selectman namely
John Howlett, 19s. in part of pay for my wages in going
Representative to Boston. Samuel Howlett.
Sept. 30: 1718. Rate made for the Country, £56. 17.
9. with ouver pluss of £ 1. 9. 4.
Dec. 19: 1718. Rate made for ye Town and Country,
£60. 4. 3.
Jan. 6: 1718. Rate made for Mr. Joseph Capen, £80.
7. 2.
Nov. 24 : 1719.
Dec. 1 : 1719.
£3°- 4- 6.
To Mr. John Gould Town Treasurer Sir: you are here
By ordered to pay in unto Mr. Joseph Capen ye sum of
Eighty pounds which you are to receve of our Constable
for him for his work in the ministry and out of ye Town
reat you are to pay Ensin Timothy Perkins
Dea Samuel Howlett
Qur Mast. Ephraim Willds
Serg John Howlett
John Redington
William Averiel
Mr. Thomas Gould
Mr. John Houvey
Collonal John Appleton Esquir who is our
County treasaurer,
Leut. Joseph Gould an abatment for his mans head o.
Corp. Elezar Lake an abatment for his mans head.
Nathaniel Averiel,
Dock. Michel Dwinel
and you are to make up your accounts with the Selectmen
at Boston on ye sixth Day of March next Ensuing the
date of
Dat. febuary 2 : 1719/20.
as attest Nathn. Porter Cleark
for ye Select Men
Rate made of for the Town and County, £ 20 . 8. 6.
with an over pluss of £ 1. 15. 1.
An account of what Ipswitch men offer to pay into our
Town Treasurer towards the ministrey for ye yeare 1719.
12.
0.
0
I.
4.
0
0.
14.
8
2.
3-
6
O.
3.
0
0.
18. 0
0.
4-
0
0.
18.
0
7.
9-
0
d 0.
9.
2
. 0.
4-
6
0.
3-
6
0.
4-
0
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
IOI
Mr. Sami & John Perley
00:
13:
Corpl. Lot Conant
00:
12 :
Sargt. John Lampson
00:
07:
Stephen Perley
00:
09:
Joseph Commings
00:
03:
Mark How
00:
05:
Sarg John Howlett is to pay into ye Treasurer
for one peck & half peck on one point 00 : o 6 : 00
and Clark Jacob Peabody for A half Bushel 00 : 03 : 03
Mar. 1 : 1719/20 To Mr Timothy Perkins, out of ye
Towns money, £1. 4. o.
Mar. 1 : 1719/20. To Edmond Towne, 2s. it Being an
abatment of his rent.
May 6, 1720, the select men took on a count of the
wayts and mesures belonging to the town stock and thay
ear as folloeth- on half bushel peck on half peck on elle
quart on win quart on win pint and half pint a per of schels
with nin bras waights belonging to them containing abought
eaight pounds on yard an ell : all thes above sd mesurs and
waights and schells were delivered to Zaches Gould seler
of waights and mesures upon may the sixt 1720 by the
Selectmen.
19 Sept. 1720 Reat med for the provenc, £30. 12. 9.
A Lest med for Mr Joseph Capen for the minestry for
the yer 1720, £80. 1 1. 6.
Dec. 28, 1720 Reat med for the Town and county,
£29. 17. 6.
An a count of how the selectmen for the yer 1720 have
desposed of the money Raised for the town
a cording as thay were ordered to pay out —
and county
Capt. Tobijah parkins
5. 10. 0
Corpl. John Aplton, county Treasurer
7. 9-0
nathaniel Capen and Jonathan Wilds
3- 8. 0
John Wilds
1. 4. 0
William avrel
0. 18.0
Ephraim Wilds sen and Joseph Gould
0. 8. 0
Jesse dorman constable
1. 2. 0
Ivory Hovey
0. 7. 0
Mr. Nathaniel Capen
0. 4. 0
John hovey
0. 2. 0
102
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
Clerk Jacob pebody o. 2. o
Simon Bradstret o. i. o
Johnathan Wilds o. i. 6
Sar John houlet o. I. o
Capt Tobijah perkens 7. 4. o
Clark nathanil porter and John houlet and nathan-
iel everel 1. 17. 6
Sept. 19: 1721 Rate made for ye Countrey, £30. 12.9.
Nov. 23: 1721. Rate made for Mr. Joseph Capen for
ye ministry for ye year 1721, £81. 1.2.
Nov. 23. 1721. Rate made for ye Town & County,
£20. 2. 3.
Oct. 16: 1722. The Select Men haveing taken an Ac-
count of ye weight of ye Severell Caskes of Powder be-
longing to ye Towns Stock of TopsId
first to a Caske of 72 pound of Powder.
2ly to one of 36 pound.
3ly to one of 33 pound,
ye whole Contains 141 lbs.
And the Weight of flints is 9 Pounds & 3/4 qrs.
June ye 15th : 1719. Receivd. of Mr. Elisha Putnam Con-
stable of Topsld. ye full & Just sum of fife pounds five shil-
lings & Seven pence in Province Bills which was by order of
ye selectmen of Topslf. to pay unto Mr. Isaac Peabody
& Qart. Ephraim Wiles & Mr. Simon Bradstreet:
I say received by me Isaac Peabody one of ye Committy
in ye behalf of ye Rest, as wittnes my hand
Isaac Peabody.
Feb. 28th: 172 1/2. Reed, of Mr. William Porter Con-
stbl. for ye year 1720 for my Serving at ye Generell Cort
yt year ye sum of Seven pounds & four pounds in full of
yt. he was ordrd. to pay to me. p me Tobijah Perkins
Fabruary ye 8th: 1722/3. Then Recond. with Ensgn.
John Gould Town Treasurer 1719 and all accompts Cleard.
by sd. Treasr. with us ye Select men of Topsld.
Thomas Baker Cl. of ye
Selectmen of Topsld.
Sept. 26: 1722. Rate made for the Province, £30. 12. 9.
Dec. 14: 1722. Rate Made for ye ministry, £8 1. 6. 1.
Jan. 17: 1722/3. Rate made for ye Town & County,
£29. 5- o.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
103
Fab. 8/ 1722/3. Then Receivd. of Mr. Thomas Dwin-
ell Constble of Topsfield in part for sarving at ye great &
Generali Cort the just sum of Three pounds five Shillings
& eight pence. I say Receivd. by me Danll. Clark
Oct. 2 : 1723. Rate Made for the Country or Province,
£30. 12. 9.
Nov. 19: 1723. Rate made for the ministry, ^80. 17. 7.
Dec. 17: 1723. Rate Made for ye town & County,
£2 6. 6. 11.
1723 An Account how ye Selectmen ordred the Town
& County Rate to be paid out:
To Mr. John Hovey 1. o. o
to Joseph How I. 4. o
to Jacob Perkins O. 4. 6
to Q:master Nathl. O. 2. o
to Jacob Robinson O. 1. o
to Tobijah Perkins o. 6. o
to Mr. Daniel Clark 1. 7. 4
to David Balch o. 9. 6
to Ens: Timothy Perkins 6. 19. 1
ye county rate which was 6. 4. 2
to Elisha Putnam o. 12. 6
to Ens: Timothy Perkins 7. 13. 4
to David Commings he being rated for 2 heads
in ye province tax O. 2. 6
Dec. 20: 1723, then the Selectmen of Topsfield reed,
of ye Trustees for said Town ye Sum of nine pounds six
shillings in bills of Credit it being the intrest of sd. Towns
money: the sd. Trustees then keeping the remainder of
sd. money it being eighteen shillings for their trouble in
receiving & Leting out said money.
Deem. 1723. Qu:Master Ephraim Wildes having Six-
teen shillings of ye towns money ye Selectmen ordered it
to En. Timothy Perkins.
Sept. 23: 1724. Reat made for the Country or Prov-
ince, £71. 10. 4.
Dec. 29: 1724. Reat made for the ministry, ^80. 15. 7.
Jan. 7 : 1724/5. Reat made to defray the Town Charges,
£12. 8. 4.
Account how ye Selectmen ordered the Town Reat to
be paid out.
104
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
To Ensin. Timothy Perkins £ 4 . 9. 7
to Joseph How 1. 4. o
to Clark Jacob Peabody o. 1. o
To Capt. Thomas Baker o. 7. 6
to Mr. Tobijah Perkins o. 1. 6
to Luke Avirel o. 2. 6
to Mr. Nath: Capen o. 6. 2
to David Bausch o. 2. o
to Samuell Howlett o. 3. o
to Joseph Andrews o. 2. o
to Mr. Eliezer Lake o. 2. 6
To Mr. John Hovey 1. 1. o
To Ensin Amos Dorman 1. o. o
To Edmond Town o. 2. o
to Mr. John Hovey O. 4. 6
to Nathl. Porter o. 4. o
Jan. 14: 1724/5: the Selectmen Received of ye Trus-
tees for sd Town the Sume of £ 12. 15. o. in Bills of Credit
it being the intrest of the Lone money.
The Selectmen of Topsfield paid out the afore sd. money
as followeth :
to the Trustees: o. 18. o
To Mr. John Hovey 6. 14. 6
to Deac. John Howlett 1. 18. 1
to Clar. Elisha Perkins o. 16. 9
to Joseph Town o. 10. 6
to Nathll. Porter 1. 17. 2
Jan. 14: 1724/5. Paid to John hovey £4. o. o. which
was an over pluse in the province tax.
Jan. 14: 1724/5: then Received of the Selectmen of
Topsfield the Just Summe Eighteen shillings in Bills of
Credit for Letting out and Taking in the Intrest of the
Loan money for the yeare 1724/
p Joseph Gould } T .
John Howlett [ , t , ,,
rpi t) 1 \ for Topsfield
Thomas Baker ) r
Sept. 28 1725. Rate made for the Province, £ 102. 3. 3.
with an over plus of £6. 3. 3.
Oct. 26. 1725. Rate for defraying of Town charges,
£125. 5. 4.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
05
£22. 15. 00
01. 04. 02
01. 05. 06
OO. 03. OO
00. IO. I I
00. 03. 06
OO. 02. 06
00. OI. OO
00. 02. 06
00. 06. 00
15. 08. 00
15. 15. 00
Dec. 31, 1725. Pay out of the Town rate the following
summs :
To Mr. William Osgood
To Mr. Jacob Peabody
To Sargt Ivory Hovey
To John Hovey
To deacon John Howlett
To Jacob Averill
To Mrs. Mary Baker
To Corporall Jacob Robinson
To Capt John How
To Capt Joseph Gould
To deacon John Howlett for his going Repre-
sentative
To Mr. William Osgood
Feb. 11. 1725/6 paid to Mr. Benjamin Town Constable
£^. 5. o. out of the Towns Loan mony to make up what
is wanting in his rates being made so much to short.
Mar. 1, 1725/6. Constable Jacob Dorman was ordered
to pay to Benjamin Town 11s. wch. to gather with 9s. in
sd Towns hand maks up one pound for said Towns labor
in gathering the rates.
Mar. 1725/6. Jacob Dorman was alowed 23s. of the over
plus of the county rate for his trouble in gathering rates.
Mar. I, 1725/6 there is yet left in Constable Jacob
Dormans hands of the Town rate £2A- l7> O
the adjacent inhabitants subscribed to the
Towns use & it was put into constable Jacob
Dormans hands to gather 05. 09. o
Dec. 31, 1725. Paid out of the Town Rate the follow-
ing summs :
To Ensign Amos Dowman £12- I2- 06
To Clark Elisha Perkins 00. 06. 06
To Mr. Nathaniel Capen 00. 09. 06
To Daniel Gould 00. 02. 06
To Samuel Smith 00. 04. 00
To Clark Elisha Perkins 00. 01. 00
To Mrs. Prissilla Capen 26. 13. 04
Mar. 1, 1725/6 deacon John Howlett is ordered to
take Twenty Shillings of the Towns’s Loan money for
his going representative.
io6
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN'S RECORDS.
At a Generali Sessions of the Court holden at Ipswich
for and with in the county of Essex by adjurnment April!
13. 1725 on Representation to this and a formar Court
that Joseph Dwinel of Topsfield in the county of Essex
husbandman is not capable of managing his estate or af-
fairs but yt there is great danger of his embarassing the
same and thereby brought to necessaty & distress where-
fore it is Considared and agreed by this Court that the
selectmen of the said Town of Topsfield for the Time be-
ing doe take the estate of the said Joseph dwinel into
there hands and possession & improve the same for his
advantage and support untill farther order keeping ac-
count of theire doings thein both of what they may receive
and what they shall disburse and yt none of his real es-
tate whatsoever be sold without special order from the
superior court first had and obtained & in all things there-
about to attend the directions of the law.
Mr. George Bixby for Joseph Dwinels affairs 1725 Dr.
filing, recording & entring of the motion or petision of
Ipswich Court Aprill 1725 O. 3. Q
to Court order there upon o. 2. o
to Ditto att Salem Court Jun 1725 O. 3. O
& ye Court proceeding & judgment thereupon o. 2. o
to A Copy of ye Court order on the Select men of
Topsfields petion 00. 1. 6
to Takeing ye acknowledgment of dwinels Deed
of conveyance to you & recording the same 00. 3. 6
00. 15. 00
Received of Mr. George Bixby for Joseph Dwinels meadoe
being in full of the remainder for the sale thereof £ 5. 12. 5
Nov. 1, 1725. Received of the select men of Topsfield
jQ I . upon Joseph Dwinels account in part of what was
due to me for what I was out for sd. Joseph according to
the Courts order. Joseph Gould
1725. paid to Michael Dwinel 10s. 6d. six shillings
whereof to pay Joseph dwinels rate formarly Laid upon
him & 4s. 6d. to by necessaries for sd. Josephs wife.
Sept. 27, 1725. Received of Mr. George bixby 8s. 1 id.
in full of Joseph Dwinels account. Jos: wolcot.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
107
Feb. 11, 1725/6. deacon Howlett is ordered to pay
John Wilds 20s. out of Joseph Dwinels mony for what sd
wilds his father was out upon sd Josephs account of the
Court order.
4 feb, 1725/6. deacon howlet carried one bushel of
indian meal to Joseph Dwinel by order of the select men.
7 Feb. 1725/6. John Hovey carried Joseph Dwinel
one bushel of indian meal by order of the Select men.
July 5 : 1726. Dean. John Howlet was ordered to pay
jQ 8 . 10. o. to Mr. Osgood.
July 4: 1726 Mr. Jacob Dorman Constable was or-
dred to pay to Mr. Osgood £19. 10. O.
Sept. 2d : 1726. Reed, of Capt. Joseph Gould 40s.
in Bills of Creditt on ye account of sd. Town for my Ser-
vice with them in ye work of ye Ministry: being in part
of Pay from ye first of March to ye first of July for ye sd
Service. William Osgood.
Sept: 22: 1726. Rate Made for the province, £99-
13. 6. with an over pluse of 36s.
Oct. 24: 1726. Rate made for ye Ministry , £ 103. 9. 4.
Dec. 21: 1726. Rate Made to Defray ye Town Charges
including ye County Rate, £133. 16. 1.
Dec. 28: 1726. Mr. Nathl. Porter Treasurer was or-
dered To pay To Mr. William Osgood out the money
Raised for ye Ministry. °* °*
July: 4: 1726: Dean. John Howlett was ordered to
pay £8. 10. o. to Mr. William Osgood it being Some
of the intrest of the Towns Loan Money.
24 Jan. 1726/7, the Selectmen Reed, of ye Trustees
£ 1 1. 7. 4. in full for the intrest of the Towns Loan money
for ye year 1726 and have paid out the same as followeth
John Burton & John Nichols for rebuilding the bridge
over the River Near to Mr. Edward Putnams. £8. O. O.
To John Howlett for serving at ye General Court and
for Trouble in Letting out ye Towns Loan money in the
year 1726. O. 18. O
To Simon Bradstreet for Servin Schoolmaster for sd
Town In ye year 1725 1. o. O
To Jacob Peabody for aportioning or Seting to each
man his proportion to fence about ye parsonage in 1726.
o. 12. o
io8
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
To Nathll: Porter for Seting out to Each man his pro-
portion to fence about ye parsonage Land in Topsfield
and for trouble in taking in ye intrest of the Towns Loan
Money in 1726. O. 18. o
To Joshua Town for the Widow Luce Towns keeping
the Widow Mary Averill Ten weeks this winter. 1. 10. o
To Joseph Gould for trouble in taking in the intrest of
Town Loan Money in ye year 1726. o. 6. o
To Anne Averill for keeping ye widow Mary Averill
five weeks in the begining of this winter. 1. o. O
To Phebe Goodhall for keeping ye widow Mary Averill
seven weeks in ye Latter End of ye Last Summer. £3.
IO. O.
To Samuel Howlett for keeping ye widow Mary Averill
and her Nurse Eight Days in ye Summer past, o. 10. O
To Hannah Averill for eight Days attendance upon ye
widow Mary Averill. o. 4. o
To Daniel Clarke for keeping a Glasser and his horse
when he mended the meeting house glass in the year
1724. o. 5. o
To Joseph How for sweeping ye meeting house from
Some time in October 1725 till some time in October 1726,
1. 1. o
To John Wildes for my brother Jonathan Wildeses
keeping ye Widow Mary Averill Seventeen Days in Aug-
ust Last past, 1 . 10. o
To John Wildes for what the Town allowed to Jesse
Dorman for Timber in ye year 1726, o. 2. o
Mar. 6: 1726/7 Mr. Nathll. Porter Town Treasurer
was ordred to pay out of ye Town Rate the following Sums.
To Mr. Eliezer Lake 1. 3. 4
To Cler: Elisha Perkins o. 6. o
To John Wildes o. 5. o
To Jacob Averill o. 4. 6
Jan: 7: 1725/6 To William Osgood, for Preaching a
Quarter of a year it Ending ye Last Sabbath in December
Last past. £22- J5- 0
Mar: 8. 1725/6 to William Osgood in province Bills of
Creditt for Preaching from ye Last Sabbath in January
Last past to ye first of this Instant March, ^15. 15. o.
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
109
July n : 1726. to William Osgood part of his Sallary
from ye first of March Last past to ye Last of June Last
past, £ 19. 10. o.
Jan. 22: 1727. Rate Made for ye Town & County,
£ 135- 16. 9. With an over Plus of £1. 1 5. 8. to be paid in
to ye County treasurer £5. 16. 9. and to Mr. Nathl. Porter
Town Treasurer, £85. 14. 3.
Nov. 30: 1727. Rate made for ye Province, .£56. 18.6.
with and over Pluss of £2. 13. 6.
Sept. 13: 1727, Mr. Nathl. Porter Was Orderd. to pay
to ye Reverand Mr. Willm. Osgood ye Sum of ^48. 1. 6.
Nov. 17: 1727 Mr. Nathl. Porter Town Treasurer was
Orderd. to Pay ye following Sums to
to ye wido Ann Averell
£2.
0. 0
to Joseph how
0.
15. 0
to Ephm. Wilds 3d
0.
3. 0
to Mr. daniel Clarke
1.
1 1. 6
to Mr. Simon Bradstreet
1.
00. 0
to Mr. John Wilds
0.
8. 0
to Clk. Elisha Perkins
O.
14. 0
to Mr. Danll. Clark
3-
4.6
to David Comins
0.
1 1. 0
to Clk. Elisha Perkins
0.
10. 0
Thoms. Dwinel
0.
3- 0
to Mr. Daniel Clark
1.
9- 4
to Capt. Jacob Town
1.
10. 6
to Thoms. Gould and Joseph Towne
1.
4. 0
to Thoms. Gould
1.
13- 0
to Benja Towne
1.
12. 6
to Willm. Reddington
1.
8. 0
to Jacob Robinson
0.
2. 6
to John Wilds
0.
15- 4
to John Wilds
0.
4. 0
to Sami. Smith
0.
2. 0
Jan. 3 : 1728 Rate Made for ye town, £155. 13. 6.
Apr. I : 1729, the Select men agreed and sould the ould
Pound to Jonathan Wildes for 5s. of his pay towards the
new pound.
April ith: 1729, Mr. Nathaniel Porter Town Treasurer
Was ordered to Pay out of the Town Rate
I 10
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
to Jonathan Wildes
£1. 7- 0
to John Wildes
2. 6. 0
to Benja. Towne
0. 1. 0
to Nathaniel Bordman
1. 5. 0
to Richard towne
1. 0. 0
to ye widow Deborah Dorman
0. 15.0
to Zachus Gould
0. 16. 0
to John Dwinel
0. 8. 0
to Thomas Dwinel
1. 15. 0
to John Perkins
2. 10. 0
to Jonathan Wildes
2. 10. 0
to Eliezer Lake
20. 00 0
to nathaniel Capen
0. 5. 0
May 7: 1729 Paid to Mr. Ivory Hovey the Inrust of
the Towns Last Lone money by the trustes of said money
£5- 5- 7.
May 7, 1729, Mr. Ivory Hovey tresurer Was ordered to
Pay out of the Towns money
To Elezer Lake & Jacob Peabody £1. 8. o
to Nathaniel Averill o. 3. o
Sept in the year 1729. Mr. Nathaniel Porter Tresurer
to Pay Out of the Towns money
To The Reverend Mr. John Emerson £S°- °- 0
Nov. 28 1729 Mr. Ivory Hovey Tresurer to Pay out
of a Town Rat
To the Reverend Mr. John Emerson £100. 00- 00
Jan. 29 1729, Mr. Ivory Hovey Tresurer to pay by the
Second Day of march next Out of the Ministrys rat
To the Reverend Mr John Emerson £S°- 00- 00
Dec. 9. 1729, Mr. Nathaniel Porter Town treasurer was
ordred to Discount £1. 5. 3. with Samuel Curtis there
being a Mistake in ye order which sd tresurer had former-
ly to Receve of the Rate of sd Curtis Cunstabel
Jan. 29 1729 Mr. Nathaniel Porter Tresurer to pay
out of the towns money
To Elezer Lake ^15. 6. II
To John Perkins 02. 10. o
To Jonathan Wildes 02. 5. o
To Stephen Jonson 00. 13. o
To Joseph Towne 03. 16. 2
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
1 1 1
to Benja. Towne 05. 01. 2
to John Hovey 02. 15. 2
to John Hovey being an abatment for John
holgats head 00. 14. o
Oct. 29 : 1729 Rate Made for the Province, ^89. 2. o.
With an Over Pluse of £1. 13. 10.
Oct. 30 1729. Rate Made for the town and County,
^107. 1 6. 8., to be payed unto the County Treasurer £5.
18. 1.
Jan. 29: 1729. Rate Made for the Ministry, £ 106. 16. 5.
Whereas Mr. Nathaniel Porter Tresurer for the Town of
Topsfield was ordred on May the 20th: 1729 to pay To
Capt. Joseph Gould ^30. 00. o. for his serving Represen-
tative in the year 1728 and Capt. Joseph Gould having
Receved the whole for sd service at the province Tresurers
these may Sertify that said order is discounted and for
biden by the Selectmen to be paid to the said Gould.
Whareas At a Town Meeting May 7th 1 729 Capt. Joseph
Gould abated ^3. o. o. of what was alowed him for his
service as Representative in the year 1728 and Capt.
Joseph Gould haveing Delivered the said three pounds to
the Selectmen of Topsfield the said Selectmen paid the
same to Eliezer Lake as part of pay for fencing in the
parsonage :
Feb. 17th: 1729, I say Reed, by me the six pounds
alowed by the Cort for repairing the Town Bridg in Tops-
field in the year 1728.
Ivory Hovey Town Treasr.
Mar. 3 : 1729/30 Mr. Ivory Hovey Town Tresurer
paid the folowing Sums
To Quar. Nathaniel Bordman o. 3. o
To Nathan Bixby o. 5. o
To Aaron Estey o. 4. o
June 3: 1730 Mr. Nathaniel Porter Town Treasurer
Paid the following Sums:
To Dean. John Howlett £6. 5. o
To Jesse Dorman O. 5. o
To John Perkins 01. 6. o
to Nathaniel Averill o. 2. 8
to William Redington I. o. o
I 12
TOPSFIELD SELECTMEN’S RECORDS.
To Jacob Perkins Junr. 8. o. o
To John Wilds oo. 9. 6
June 9 1730 Mr. Ivory Hovey Treasurer paid the fol-
lowing sums :
To Dean. Jacob Peabody Elizer Lake &
Tobijah Perkins £0. 18. o
Sept. 1 7: 1730 To Mr. John Emerson £50. 00. 00
Nov. 18 1730 discounted with Mr. Richard Towne Con-
stable of Topsfield £0. 3. o. it being an abatment of Mr.
Blares Rate.
Oct. 29 1730. Rate made for the Province, ^60. 3. o.
Dec. 1 6 1730 Rate made for the Town and County,
£128. 4. 3.
Sept. 22 : 1730, then Reckoned With the trustees of the
Towns first Lone money to wit with Capt John Howlett
and Mr. Nathaniel Porter and alowed them their demands
for their Service and alowed in Equel maner to Capt
Joseph Gould and receved of sd Trustes the sum of £$.
I. 5.
Dec. 16 : 1730. Mr. Ivory Hovey Town Treasurer paid
the foiling sums out of the Towns Money in his hands,
viz
To Joseph Peabody
£0. 7. 6
To qur. Nathl. Bordman
0. 6. 0
To Joseph Herrick
0. 18. 0
To David Cummings
0. 3- 0
To Benja Towne
1. 4. 0
To Jonathan Wildes
0. 16. 0
To Doct. Dwinel
0. 2. 0
To William Reddington
0. 2. 0
To John Perkins
0. 2. 0
To Joseph Towne Junr.
0. 7. 0
To Decn. Jacob Peabody
0. 3. 6
To ye Reverd. Mr. John Emerson
50. 0. 0
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIFLD.
COPIED FROM SALEM NEWSPAPERS
BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
( Continued from Volume XXI If page 140.)
THE OLD WHIPS .
“Some Notes on Old Modes of Travel" is the article
which, for its stories of the olden time, will attract special
attention in Part I., Vol. XI. of “Essex Institute Histori-
cal Collections,” just from the press. This interesting
paper, by Robert S. Rantoul, (says the Boston Transcript)
is packed with curious and amusing facts, hunted up in all
quarters, by an enthusiasm for whatever illustrates the
manners and customs of the past. Those familiar with
the old Eastern stage lines will enjoy the sketch of their
history; and all readers will find much that is quaint,
comical and suggestive in the reproductions of passages
from records, diaries, and various other sources of “rare
and valuable” information.
The main route of the old stage company in the winter
of 1818 is sketched as follows: A coach left Portsmouth
for Boston at 9 A. M., running through, dining at Tops-
field, then through Danversport and Salem to Boston, and
back the same way the day following, dining at Newbury-
port. Topsfield thus became “quite metropolitan, so much
so that conventions often met there.” The company be-
came prosperous, having in 1828 substantial stables at all
the chief points on the route, and owning hotels, or a con-
trolling interest in them, at Boston, Newburyport, Exeter
and Dover.
(113)
1 14 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TO PS FIELD,
“One seems to recall the impatience with which the
tired traveller looked forward to alighting at these old
inns— to see again the village steeple peering over the
hill, its gilded cockerel glistening in the sunset — to hear
the stagehorn once more bidding the postmaster to ex-
pect the evening mail, the landlord serve the welcome meal ;
to see honest, little nervous Jack Mendum, or sturdy, ro-
bust, reliable Robert Annable, or good-natured Knight,
or the voluble but substantial Pike, or some other famous
whip, gather up his reins and muster his strength for a
final sweep across the tavern yard, the crowning effort of
a day of toil to dusty traveller and smoking, jaded team,
and then down go the steps and cramped legs are free at
last! Or we seem again to be bowling down that grand
old turnpike from Newburyport, with Akerman or Bar-
nabee or Forbes, rumbling by old Gov. Dummer’s academy
at Byfield, telling off the milestones through theTopsfield
of fifty years ago, over the grassy hills and by the beauti-
ful lake at Lynnfield, on the coach that left “Pearson’s” at
six every summer morning; or to be whirling by Flax
pond, where, a century ago last June, Mr. Goldthwaite
asked John Adams to a ‘genteel dinner’ of fish, bacon,
peas and incomparable Madeira, under the ‘shady trees’
with half-a-dozen as clever fellows as ever were born, “or
to be rattling through the old toll-gate and dashing down
great pasture hills into town on the topmost seat of the
early Boston mail stage which, in 1835, was t0 “breakfast
in Salem and dine at Portsmouth,” while all the eastern
landscape is aglow with the tints of morning, and the dews
of spring make everything in nature sparkle.”
In 1833 the railway fever made its appearance along
the Eastern shore, and the stage-drivers lowered their
plumes with much misgiving and sorrow of heart. They
resisted the inevitable, month after month, and year after
year, curtailing expenses, selling real estate, increasing
fares, reducing wages, combining with other companies
and resorting to every shift but one, — that one was co-
operation with the new order of things. It was a hard
battle, but a losing one; there was no alternative except
surrender. But the memory of the old drivers, like the
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. I 1 3
traditions of lost races of men, will always excite a lively
interest among the descendants of the travellers whom
they cared for in the days of auld-lang-syne.
Salem Gazette , Sept . <?, 18 7/,
Delegates to the State Convention.
Topsfield , on Tuesday evening, elected Dr. J. Allen
and Fred Stiles, with unanimous instructions to vote for
Butler*
PEABODY.
“Married in Topsfield, Sept. 1 8th, 1822, by Parson Rod-
ney Dennis, Mr. Eliezer Gould to Miss Abigail Brown, all
of Topsfield.”
Remarried in Peabody, Sept. 1 8th, 1871, by the Rev.
Mr. Hervey, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hanson and Rev. Mr.
Gould, Mr. Eliezer Gould to Mrs. Abigail Gould, both of
Peabody.
This last was a Golden Wedding, and the bride and
bridegroom were crowned with silver hair. They also
had their jewels with them, and their children’s children
were there to call them blessed.
In company with Mr. and Mrs. Gould we noticed three
other elderly people, and learned that they were Mrs.
Huldah Perley, a sister of Mr. Gould, aged 84; Mr. Zac-
heus Gould, (a brother) of Topsfield, aged 82, and his wife
aged 77. This latter couple, entered the bonds of matri-
mony 59 years ago. Mr. Gould also has a brother in
Maine, Dr. Humphrey Gould, aged 74, his wife being 71,
who have been married 44 years. — Press .
Salem Gazette , Sept. 22 , 1871 .
There was a family gathering a few days since, in this
town, which could hardly be equalled in interest and var-
iety of guests in this county if in the State. It was at
the old family manor of Zaccheus Gould, Esq. At a rea-
sonable morning hour the family gathering commenced,
and before noon it was found that four generations made
up the party, — children, grandchildren, and great-grand-
children, comprising all ages, from the aged sire of near-
II 6 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
1 y 82 down to the infant of a few months, with an omission
of one son and his family, who is doing business in Wash-
ington, D. C. It is impossible to describe the happiness
which was felt by this interesting company during that
day. While so great a disparity of age was represented,
a variety of means were resorted to to meet the exigencies
of the occasion. The children of matured age, were full
of anecdote and events of more than fifty years, refresh-
ing each other’s memories, which partook of both sadness
and humorousness; but no one of them I think could re-
member an instance of corporal punishment, as the puri-
tanical discipline was of such sternness of authority given
in such a manner as to convey the idea that authority was
the parent of affection and the inflexible command must
be obeyed. While this part of the company was being
thus entertained, the third generation were having a good
time in their way, and a general ransack of the house, from
celler to garret, was had, while the disturbed condition of
the barn and other outbuildings was an unmistakeable
evidence that the “children had been there;” and as
“grandmother” had her attention directed towards the
little ones which comprised the fourth generation she
demonstrated the fact that she was not too old to look
after the wants and adapt herself to each grade of this
happy company, comprising so graat a disparity of age.
This old paternal homestead is the place of birth of the
present owner, Mr. Zaccheus Gould, being the fifth gen-
eration of the same name, with a regular transmission from
father to son, since 1638. The first owner was one of the
first settlers of the town, and was possessed of a very
large landed estate, and built the house which is now in
excellent condition and commands one of the most lovely
views that can be found in town. This aged couple have
been united in marriage sixty years, and notwithstanding
their old age they have warded off the infirmities of years
in a remarkable manner. Mr. G., who is now nearly 82,
attends to all his farming business and was regularly in
the hay field the past summer, doing a good day’s work
with his scythe and fork; and Mrs. G., who is more than
76, attends to her dairy and other domestic duties with no
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 1 7
other assistance than what he affords her in the manage-
ment of the dairy. The uniformity of their habits and
mode of living has been like clock work — a regular hour
to bed and to rise, and their meals as regular. He has
always been a temperance man, and never used tobacco
or other narcotics of any kind.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 6 , i8ji .
About a year ago we furnished your patrons through
the medium of the Mercury, with an account of the changes
then going on in this quiet town; and thinking that, it was
about time that that account should be resumed, I take
this opportunity, beginning it where we then left it.
First, Mr. Frederick Stiles has finished his new build-
ing as a boot and shoe manufactory, and has thereby
nearly doubled his facilities for business, and is now hav-
ing quite a brisk trade in his line, which is mostly custom
work and of first rate quality.
Mr. Floyd, the expressman, has raised and enlarged
his house, by the addition of a French roof and an L,
built a new barn, and otherwise improved his property,
so that he now has as neat a place as there is in the vil-
lage.
Mr. J. Porter Gould has built a very pretty cottage on
Grove Street, and has just moved into it.
Mr. C. Herrick has built another large building near
his manufactory for the better accommodation of his
workmen for a shoe shop.
Mr. D. G. Perkins has built a large barn, which adds
greatly to the looks of his premises and no doubt to the
comfort of himself and of his stock.
Mr. Wm. E. Kimball has built a large L to his residence,
and otherwise beautified and improved his property.
Mr. Richard Ward purchased last spring, the Munday
property, in Mechanics’ court, and has had it put in
thorough repair, and together with Mr. I. M. Woodbury
is doing good business in butchering.
Capt. Isaac Morgan has raised and repaired the barn
and house on his estate (formerly known as the Donation
Farm,) thereby improving the looks of his property one
I 1 8 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
half. This we understand is only a little of what he in-
tends to do. A long life to the happy Captain, we say.
Mr. David Clark, at “the City” has built a large and
splendid house, the largest that has been built in town for
several years. Although not quite completed, yet he
hopes to eat his thanksgiving dinner in it. We hope he
will, and many more.
These improvements together with those made by Mess-
ers. Lock, T. M. Phillips, R. Phillips, C. H. Holmes, B.
P. Adams, J. Wilson, Capt. Munday, C. H. Lake, I. P.
Merriam, Clifford, Webster and others, have given our
carpenters, painters and other mechanics, all they could
do; and our village now, go where you will, will compare
favorably with any in the County : and when our surveyors
of highways get our streets and roads in good condition
we think of entering our village for a premium at the
State Fair, provided the committee offer one for the hand-
somest village in the State.
There have not been so many business changes for the
year past as formerly, but we note a few.
Mr. Herbert Gould has succeeded Mr. Frame, in the
restorator (formerly T. W. Perley), and keeps a very quiet,
orderly place, and is no doubt doing well.
Since the death of Mr. Long our livery stable and black-
smith shop were closed, Mr. E. Adams, of Georgetown,
has opened a stable in the rear of the Topsfield House,
and stocked it with good teams, which he lets at fair prices
for the accommodation of our citizens.
Mr. Briggs, of Danvers, has taken the blacksmith stand
(formerly Mr. Long’s) where he may be found early and
late, and by the ring of his anvil we should judge that he
means business.
Mr. B. J. Balch has taken the building formerly occupied
by J. Towne as a shoe manufactory, and stocked it with
a good assortment of W. I. goods and groceries, which
he sells at very low prices, and seems to be determined to
merit a share of patronage.
Mrs. Balch (formerly Miss Pingree) has removed her
stock from her old stand to the chambers over the store
of Mr. B. where her former patrons and all others in want
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. II9
of dry goods or millinery will find her, with better accom-
modations, greater facilities, and just as ready to admin-
ister to their wants as though nothing had happened.
But I fear that I am claiming too much space and tir-
ing the patience of your readers, so will close by promis-
ing to keep you better posted in the future.
The shoe manufactory of Mr. Fred Stiles was entered
on Thursday night, and about $100 worth of French calf
skins and boots stolen. Capt. G. W. Boynton was notified,
and on Saturday, after an examination of the premises,
Charles Carmady was arrested on suspicion, when his boots
were found to correspond with the tracks, and his knife
with the marks, and the fellow owned up and told where
the goods were concealed — in an unoccupied house about
two and a half miles off. The articles were recovered.
Carmady is an old offender, with a hard enlistment record
in the late war.
Salem Gazette , Oct . 20 , 1871.
In the matter of Representative to the General Court,
it is this year Topsfield’s “turn” to take the honor of fur-
nishing the man for the district comprising the towns of
Topsfield, Middleton, Lynnfield, and Saugus. As a gen-
eral thing, the doctrine of rotation is pretty well established
and agreed upon, so that if a town entitled to the honor,
can without much disagreement, succeed in presenting a
man entitled to confidence, there is not much difficulty in
carrying the convention in that man’s favor. This year
the Republican town caucus of Topsfield declared, by a
pretty decided vote, in favor of Rev. Anson McLoud, the
former pastor of the Congregational Church, as a suitable
man to present for the nomination. — Since then, however,
the Labor Reformers have put in nomination for the can-
didacy, the name of S. D. Hood, Esq. As there is really
no organized Labor Reform party in Topsfield, and never
has been, — not even a Crispin organization that we ever
heard of, it is presumed that this movement is made in
hope of creating a diversion under the Labor Reform
name that will really take in Democratic support enough
to defeat the Republicans, but what success the movement
will meet with remains to be seen.
1 20 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
Game, though not so plentiful as formerly, is still found
in the region of Topsfield and Boxford. In the former
town, Mr. Lake, just over “Lake’s Hill,” has a couple of
raccoons, taken while young, and which have now be-
come quite well domesticated. They come into the house
when permitted, move about very softly and stealthily,
climb up and put their noses into everything with a busy-
body sort of air, quarrel over any single contribution in
the way of rations, besides putting the family cat into a
state of anxiety which lasts during their presence. An-
other citizen has a tame woodchuck about his house, while
some months ago, or perhaps longer, Mr. Benjamin Adams,
son of the Postmaster, was the proprietor of several foxes
that were captured while in their infancy.
Mr. Adams also has a dog that answers to the name of
“Ginger,” having inherited this designation from an im-
ported progenitor two or three generations back. We
immortalize this creature so far as it is in the power of a
newspaper to do it, because of the very friendly and un-
doglike relations which the animal maintains with the
family cat occupying the same household. The two seem
to be bound together by the ties of natural affection, and
it is quite amusing to see the cat roll over upon her back
and clasp the obtrusive nose of the dog in her apprecia-
tive embrace. It was by no special training or teaching
that these friendly relations were brought about between
animals naturally at variance, but the two seemed to cul-
tivate friendly relations from an early age. The dog,
however, has no natural affinity for cats, and gives energetic
attention, while upon the road, to the treeing of all that
happen to be in yard or highway while he is accompanying
the wagon upon the road.
Salem Gazette , Oct. 2j , i8ji .
Floyd’s Topsfield, Danvers, Peabody, and Salem
Express.
Leaves Topsfield at 8 o’clock A. M.
Returning, leaves Salem at I o’clock, P. M.
Offices.
In Topsfield, at the Topsfield House.
In Salem, at Wm. Moulton’s No. I 7 Market Square.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 12 1
Order Slates.
Topsfield, at the Topsfield House, and Stores of Wm.
B. Kimball, T. W. Perley and B. P. Adams.
Danvers, in the Entry of Noyes’s Building.
Peabody, at F. Dane & Co.’s Shoe Manufactory.
Salem, at 17 Market Square, and at G. M. Whipple &
A. A. Smith’s, 243 Essex street.
This Express connects in Salem with Express lines to
all parts of the country.
Particular and personal attention given to the collection
and payment of Drafts, Notes, Bills, &c. &c.
Agency for Essex Dye House.
The subscriber, grateful for the liberal patronage and
support bestowed in the past, hopes that by diligence and
punctual attention to all business intrusted to him, to
merit a continuance of the same in the future.
C. J. P. Floyd,
Proprietor and Driver.
A Porcupine was killed in Topsfield, by Mr. Wm.
Porter Gould, yesterday (Thursday) morning, near the
house of Mr. Ariel H. Gould. It was in a very good
solid condition, and its quills were all in order for defen-
sive or offensive use. For many years the porcupine had
been a rare animal in Topsfield. The specimen killed by
Mr. Gould was a female, and probably one of the founders
of a new settlement.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 3, 1871.
On Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 30, an entertainment
will be given at Union Hall, by the ladies connected with
the Congregational Society. The entertainment will con-
sist of tableaux, music, shadow-pantomine, &c. There
will be the usual variety of refreshments.
On Sunday morning, Mr. Cummings, one of the mission-
ary agents of the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers,
spoke at the Methodist Church in aid of this excellent
institution. He also spoke at Boxford in the afternoon,
and at the Congregational Church, in this town, in the
evening, raising from Topsfield, probably not far from
$100.
122 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Rev. Mr. Tenney stated, on Sunday, that some $600 iro
money, besides boxes of clothing and other articles, had
been contributed by the citizens of Topsfield in aid of the
western sufferers. The good movement was set on foot by
committees of the two religious societies, and the citizens
promptly responded.
Salem Gazette , Nov. 77, j8ji .
Topsfield has contributed to the sufferers in the West,
in money, $614. Also five barrels of clothing, valued at
$200.
Rev. Mr. Cummings, of the House for Little Wanderers,
recently spent a Sabbath here, and collected in money
and pledges $119.93.
A new furnace has been put into the Congregational
meeting house, and the ladies of the Society have held a
social entertainment to raise money to pay for it.
There will be a sale of personal property at the Dona-
tion Farm, on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Salem Gazette , Dec . 8, i8ji .
Business seems pretty good. Mr. J. Bailey is enlarging
his Shoe Manufactory. . . . Mr. G. T. Boardman is go-
ing to build a large shoe factory in the spring. . . .
Salem Gazette , Feb. 20 , 18 72.
Our Town is in more than usually flourishing condition.
... As soon as spring opens a good number of dwell-
ing houses and shoe factories will be erected. . . . New
furnaces have been put into the Congregational meeting
house. . . . The Methodist society have put two new
Walker furnaces into their meeting house and painted and
shingled the building. . . .
Salem Gazette , Mar. 12 , 1872.
The annual town meeting was held March 8th, and
much interest was taken in the choice of moderator. Mr.
Samuel Todd was chosen. The following town officers
were elected : —
Town Clerk — Jacob P. Towne.
Selectmen and Assessors — Moses B. Perkins, Dudley
Bradstreet, Salmon D. Hood.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 12$
Overseers of the Poor — Dudley Bradstreet, Moses B.
Perkins, John H. Potter.
School Committee — Jeremiah Balch, Richard Phillips,
Henry W. Lake.
Town Treasurer — J. Porter Gould.
Constables — Henry W. Lake, Richard Ward, David E.
Davis.
Collector of Taxes — Elbridge F. Perkins.
Fish Committee — S. S. McKenzie, Joseph E. Andrews,
B. C. Orne, B. Adams, Everett Lake.
Road Commissioners were chosen instead of Surveyors
of Highways — Thomas K. Leach three years, Andrew
Gould 2 years, Jacob Kinsman one year.
A Committee of three were chosen at the adjourned
meeting to report on the need and expense of the location
of a Town Hall. Charles Herrick, John Bailey, C. J. P.
Floyd were selected for this purpose.
Many think the election illegal, from the fact that the
check list, which was before the meeting, was not used at
all, not a name being checked as any officer was balloted
for.
It was thought best at the adjourned meeting, by one
gentleman, to choose a committee to investigate and report
at an adjourned meeting, whether the doings of a meeting
are legal if the names are not checked on the list. But
the matter was passed over, and the meeting dissolved.
Hall Man.
Death of an Old Citizen . — Maj. Nathaniel Conant
died at his residence in Topsfield, Mass., on the 10th inst.,
at the advanced age of 76 years 5 months. After a dis-
tressing sickness of many months he passed to that “un-
discovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns,"
leaving a widow and four children to mourn the loss of a
kind and affectionate husband and father. Being a social,
dignified and courteous man of considerable executive
ability he was often called upon to preside over public
assemblies, always to the satisfaction of all parties, har-
monizing and calming disturbing elements. In military
circles in Essex County he was formerly well known, much
124 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
esteemed and often consulted. At the Bi-Centennial cele-
bration a few years since his services were secured as chief
marshal, in which capacity he served to the general satis-
faction of his townsmen. In 1855 and again in 1864 was
elected to the State Legislature where he won the respect
and love of many members, whose friendship he retained
to the last. Genial and warmhearted his loss will be la-
mented by the whole community where he resided. The
deceased was the eighth person upwards of 70 years of
age who has died in this village the present year.
Salem Gazette , Mar. 27, 1872.
A brass band is being organized in Boxford under the
leadership of S. S. McKenzie.
Salem Gazette, June 11 , 1872.
Our town is being much improved. Miss Ella A. Reed
has taken rooms in Mr. Phillips store, which she has well
supplied with the most fashionable millinery goods. Mr.
C. J. P. Floyd has much improved his estate. Mr. Benj.
Jacobs is building a fine house on “Locust Grove.” . . .
Mr. Abraham Welch has built a pretty cottage in the
village. . . . John Bailey has lately made an extensive
addition to his shoe establishment. Mr. Holryod Dodge
is building a house near the Turnpike. William Locke,
Esq. of Spring Vale, is doing a good work in building,
grading and remodelling the houses he has lately pur-
chased. . . .
Salem Gazette, June 21, 1872.
As Elbridge F. Conant was leading his horse by the
halter last Saturday, to give him exercise, he was kicked
in his side causing internal hemmorage, terminating in
death in a very few minutes. . . . His age was 42. He
leaves a widow and one child.
On Nov. 2nd was celebrated the 60th anniversary of the
marriage of Mr. Zaccheus Gould and Miss Anne Hood. . .
Over ninety friends and relations gathered at the old home-
stead. . . .
[The Gazette contains a long account of the exercises of
the day.]
Salem Gazette, Nov 3, 1872.
NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 125
There have been two cases of smallpox in this town,
both of which have proved fatal.
Last week the Methodist had one of their nice entertain-
ments at Union Hall, in the basement of their church. It
was announced for three nights, but the tremendous snow
storm of Thursday caused a postponement so far as the
third night was concerned, and the exhibition will there-
fore be given on New Year’s night. The affair opened
on Tuesday evening with a fair and festival. On Wednes-
day evening there was an entertainment by the scholars of
the Sunday school, consisting of recitations, singing, etc.,
and it gave great satisfaction to a crowded house and re-
flected much credit upon the performers. The duet by
Miss Mattie Nichols and Abby Kneeland was especially
noticeable for its excellence, and the music by the Beverly
Brass Band conferred great credit upon themselves and
Mr. Faxon, of Salem, who has given them a nine months
training. The entertainment on Wednesday evening of
this week will be an entirely new one, and will not be by
the scholars. It will consist of farces and other light
dramas, and will no doubt be very amusing.
Salem Gazette , Dec . 27, 1872.
On Wednesday forenoon, a horse was killed on the rail-
road crossing at the Wenham causeway, about two miles
out of Topsfield village and near to the Wenham line. A
man and woman were riding in a sleigh and came upon
the train just in time to kill the horse and at the same
time save the occupants of the sleigh. This is a bad cross-
ing, and at this time the train makes but little noise, the
track being embedded in frozen snow. We understand
that the engineer does not always blow the whistle at these
dangerous crossings, and a passenger who came in the
next day informs us that he was very confident this alarm
was omitted.
Married. — On Wednesday evening, Jan. 1, by Rev. Mr.
Fitts, at the residence of the parents of the bride, Mr.
Horace Pratt, of Lynn, to Miss H. Augusta, oldest daughter
of A. H. Gould, Esq.
The above occurring on the same evening with the ex-
hibition by the Methodists, it was suggested to the band
126 NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
that they should stop on their way home and give the hap-
py couple and their friends a serenade, which they did.
The night being so frosty their instruments soon froze up ;
but an invitation from Mr. Gould to come in being accept-
ed, they were soon ready for action. Having spent an
hour in receiving the hospitalities of the house, paying
their compliments and being introduced to the bride, fur-
nishing the friends with some of their best music, they
took their leave, wishing the happy pair a long and pleas-
ant life, with all manner of good things along the way.
Singing School. — Miss Hodgkiss has opened a juvenile
singing school in the Centre school house, to be held
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Miss H. comes
among us highly recommended as a music teacher, and we
hope the parents will avail themselves of this privilege to
give the children an idea of music, when it can be done
so cheaply.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 3, 1873.
Before this reaches the eyes of the readers, the Tops-
field people will have had the privilege of witnessing the
drama, “True to the Flag," and “Veteran," as presented
by Post 108, G. A. R., a large number of whose members
are resident of this Town, and take part in the proceed-
ings. The piece contains many startling incidents con-
nected with the life of the soldier, and nearly every scene
closes with a beautiful tableaux or allegory representing
vivid pictures suggested by the late rebellion.
Salem Gazette, Jan. 10, 1873.
(To be continued.)
ESSEX COUNTY QUARTERLY COURT RECORDS
RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
ABSTRACTED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
( Continued from Volume XXII 7, page 80.)
Samuell Mosley, aged twenty-six years, deposed. Sworn,
Mar. 19, 1667-8, before Jno. Leverett, assistant.
Edmond Bridges, Hackaliah Bridges and Daniell (his
mark) Black testified that Anthony Carill, etc. Sworn in
court.
Myhill Dwinell, aged twenty- three or four years, deposed
that he heard Bridges say, etc. Sworn in court.
John Morrill, aged about forty years, deposed that he
heard Hackkaliah Bridges say in Mr. Baker’s house that
the day Thomas Howlet was buried he heard that the
Scotch fnerchant had stolen fifteen hundred pounds from
his master, etc. Sworn in court. — Alar. 31, 1668.*
Edmond Bridges v. Mr. Wm. Pateson. Appeal from a
judgment of Major Hathorne. Special verdict found.
They found that there was a tender of i8d. already in his
hand and that Patteson tendered Bridges i8d. in any goods
in his chamber, which Bridges refused. If the goods were
a legal tender, they found for defendant, a confirmation
of the former judgment, if not, a reversing of the former
judgment, abating 2s. for Sergt. Belcher’s testimony.
Court gave judgment for defendant.
Ezekiel Rogers deposed, Feb. 22, 1667, that being
present at the Wor. Maj. Denison’s when Edm. Bridges
was summoned about one o’clock to testify in an action
pending between Mr. Paterson and Jo. How, said Bridges
demanding his pay, Paterson told him to come to his
chamber, etc. Sworn before Daniell Denison. Copy
made by Wm. Hathorne, assistant.
*The date at the end of each paragraph or case is the date of the
session of the Court.
(127)
128 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
Richard Hubbert, deposed, Feb. 22, 1667, that before
the attachment was served, etc. Sworn before Daniel!
Denison. Copy made by Wm. Hathorne, assistant.
Jo. Payne deposed, Feb. 22, 1667, that being at Mr. Wm,
Paterson’s chamber on Feb. 17 with the marshal, Paterson
tendered Bridges i8d. in any goods that were in his cham-
ber, their being all sorts of goods that were good and
vendable, but he refused unless he would give him 2s. for
the i8d. and charges for the attachment, etc. Sworn be-
fore Daniell Denison. Copy made by Wm. Hathorne,
assistant.
Mr. Paterson’s bill of cost, 11s. 6d.
Edmund Bridges’ reasons of appeal from the Worship-
ful Mr. William Hauthorne's sentence. Received, 20: I :
1667-8, by Wm. Hathorne, assistant.
Answer to reasons of appeal.
Action brought by Edm. Bridges v. Mr. Wm. Paterson,
24:12:1 667, before Wm. Hathorne, for debt. Plaintiff
appealed to the next Ipswich court, Hackeliah Bridges
and Jo. How, sureties. Copy made by Wm. Hathorne.
Writ : Edm. Bridges of Topsfeild v. Mr. Wm. Paterson ;
debt of 2s. for attending as a witness before Maj. Gen.
Denison; dated Feb. 17, 1667; signed by Rob. Lord for
the court; and served by Rob. Lord, marshal. Copy
made by Wm. Hathorne, assistant.
Jeremiah Belcher, aged about fifty-four years, deposed
that being at Mr. Patterson’s lodgings in Ipswich when
John How of Topsfield with some others bought some
goods of Mr. Patterson for which said How was engaged
to pay wheat without smut, How said his wheat was good
and he did not know that it had any smut, and Patterson
said a little would not matter, so John How set his hand
to the bill. — Mar. ji , 1668.
Hackaliah Bridges v. Richard Holmes and wife. De-
famation. Verdict for plaintiff. — Mar. jiy 1668.
Mr. Wm. Symonds v. Edmond Bridges. Debt. Ver-
dict for plaintiff.
Letter of attorney, dated, July 2, 1667, given by William
Symonds of Wells, County of Yorkshire, alias in the prov-
ince of Maine in New England, gentlemen, to his loving
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 29
friend Robert Lord, jr., of Ipswich, marshal, in the action
brought against Edmond Bridges, jr., of Topsfield, black-
smith. Wit: Samuell Symonds, junr. and Prissilla Sy-
monds. Sworn upon oath of Samuell Symonds, jr., that
he saw his brother Mr. William Symonds sign and deliver
this letter of attorney.
Edmund Bridges, 3d., of Topsfield, blacksmith, prom-
ised, Jan. 25, 1654, to pay Mr. William Symonds of Wells,
ioli., five to be paid in two months either in tools, such
as axes, hoes, plough-shares, chains, etc., or in an accept-
able bill to Mr. Curwin for merchantable goods, and the
other five pounds to be paid in merchantable wheat with-
in six weeks after next Michaelmas, delivered in Ipswich,
in consideration of a servant which he had received of
said Symonds. Wit: Samuell Symonds, jr., and John
Willisstone.
William Symonds made choice of the first payment to be
made in goods by Mr. Curwyn and assigned the same on
Mar. 4, 1664, to his father Mr. Samuell Symonds. Wit:
James Chute and Elizabeth Symonds. — Mar. 31 , 1668.
Mr. Wm. Patteson was allowed costs in the action
brought by Anthony Carroll, the latter not prosecuting. —
Mar. 31 , 1668.
Will of Tho. Howlet, jr., dated Dec. 21, 1667, and al-
lowed Mar. 31, 1668, upon oath of John Redington and
Isaack Comings: In case his wife had a son born after
his decease, the child was to have a double portion, and
if it were a daughter, one third part more than to any of
the other two ; to wife, all the estate until the children
become of age or are married, and then to have one half
during her life; his father Pabody and wife Elizabeth,
executors. Wit: John Redington, Daniell Borman and
Isaack Comings.
Inventory of the estate of Thomas Howlett, jr., who de-
ceased Dec. 23, 1667, taken by Isaack Comings and John
Redington, and proved Mar. 31, 1668, art Ipswich court:
House, and 100 acres of land, 220li. ; domestic animals,
beds and bedding, wearing apparel, kitchen utensils, tools,
two guns, grain, books; total, 440li. 8d. — Mar. 31 , 1668.
Anthony Carrell v. William Pattesson. Withdrawn.
130 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELI?.
Writ: Anthony Carroll v. Mr. William Patteson; for
attaching his estate and imprisoning him; dated Apr. 25,
1668; signed by Robert Lord, for the court; and served
by Robert Lord, marshal of Ipswich.—- June jo, 1668.
John Perkins dying intestate, administration upon his
estate was granted to his wife Deborah, who brought in
an inventory amounting to 48IL 15s., which was ordered
to be for the use of the widow. She was to pay to her
child Thomas, son of said Perkins, joli. at the age of
twenty-one years, and if Deborah married again she was
to give bond for the payment thereof.
Inventory of the estate of John Pearkenes, taken June
12, 1668, by Frances Pabody and Edman (his mark)
Town: Three Cowes and one year old beast, 1 3li . ios.;
one horse, 81i. ; three Ewes and fore lames and one Calfe,
3 li. ; five swine, 4W.; wareing paril, 81i. 10s. ; fore sheetes,
piloberes and napkines, 3H. 16s, ; bibel, 5s.; sadel, 1 li.
5s.; one sheet and a bridel, 10s.; Corne, 3li. ; Cuper ware
and other lumber, 10s. ; hoe, 4s.; one axe, 5s.; pare of
fetters, 4s.; tabel and a box, ids.; musket, 25s.; total,
48 1 i . 15s. — June jo, 1668.
The will and inventory of Robert Andrews were proved
and allowed.
Inventory of the estate of Robart Andrews, sr., of Row-
ley, taken by Frances Pabody, Isack Comings and Edman
(his mark) Towne : Three beds & beding, iy\\. ; two dusen
& three napkins, 2li. ; sheets, table Cloaths & pillow beres,
81i. ; mares and colts, 16H. ; fouer Cowes, i61i. ; fouer young
Cattell, 7I1'. ; fouer steares, i8li.; Cart and wheeles, 2li. ;
Grinding stone, 6s.; yoacks, Chaines & plows, 3H. 15s.;
Harrow, beetell, wedges, sives & sickells, 2li. ; sheepe,
Lambs & one Caulfe, 2 li . 10s. ; twenti ackers of Corne
upon the ground, 25b. ; his wearing Cloaths, 81i. ; worck-
ing tooles, 3H. 5s.; Chests, boxes & one trunck, ili. 10s. ;
two musckets, & rest, 2li. 10s. ; Chairs, tubs & trays, 2li.
I os. ; one peice of new Cloath, I li. 4s. ; one parsed of Land
bought of John Wilds, 45 li. ; house & 200 ackers of Land
350I1'.; Eightene ackers of upland & medow, iooli.; land
in Topsfeeld, 6oli. ; eighteene bushells of wheat, seaven
bushells of rye, 5 li. 18s. ; twelve bushells of malt, I li. 16s;
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. I 3 1
thirty bushells of Indian Corne 4H . ; pewter, bras & Iron
pots, 5 li. ; two tables, 3H. is.; debts, due to the Estate,
5 li. Estate debtor to the Doctors, etc., 23U. Sworn in
court by Grace Andrewes, wife of deceased. — June jo,
1668.
Isaack Comings served on the grand jury and John
Redington on the jury of trials at Ipswich, Sept. 29, 1668.
Thomas Hobes, presented for excessive drinking, was
fined. — Sept. 29 ) 1668.
Upon complaint of divers inhabitants of Topsfield, Row-
ley Village and Wills Hill that by reason of the mill dam
at Ipswich the passage of alewives had been wholly hind-
ered for several years so that they had been deprived of
the benefit of fishing, and considering that the course of
the fish might be wholly diverted from the river, ordered
that the owners or occupiers of said mill from the first of
April each year until the middle of May leave open a free
and sufficient passage of water through said dam. — Sept *
29, 1668.
“Topsfield 19th: i2mo: 1663 here is the names of those
that haue not payed to the Towne charges the Bulding
the meeting house and ministers house and other Towne
Charges,” signed by John Gould, in the name of the Se-
lectmen : Mr. Endicoate, Governer, 3IL 2s. 6d. ; Mr. Brad-
streete, 2li. 3s. 6d. ; Mr. William Perkins, 2 li. 9s. 4d. ; Tho-
mas Hobes, 3 li . 3s.; Frances Bates, 8s. iod. ; John How,
15s.; Lucke Wakely 10s. : James Waters, 6s. 8d. ; An-
thoone Carall, 15s.; Thomas Avery, 9s.; Samuell Cut-
teler, 3 li. 6d. ; Mr. Charles Gote, Richard Kimball and
Thomas Fiske, Base River men, 3H. 19s.; Farmer Porter,
2li. 2s. 6d. ; Thomas Putnam, 7s. 6d. ; Nathaniell Putnam,
1 os. ; John Putnam, 4s.; Goodman Blacke, sr., 2s. ; Mr.
Hubard, 2s. ; Richard Kimball, 2s. 8d. ; William Raiment,
2s.; Joseph Rootes, 2s. ; Zaccheus Curtis, 1 li . 10s. ; Rob-
ard Smith, 1 li. ; Samuell Perely and Thomas, 2li. 10s. ;
John Poland, 2s. — Jan. 26 , 1668-9.
Thomas Baker served on the jury of trials at Ipswich,
Mar. 30, 1669.
Wm. Pritchett v. Thomas Dorman, constable of Tops-
field. Trespass upon replevin of a cow distrained. Ver-
dict for plaintiff.
132 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Writ of replevin, dated Mar. 22, 1668, signed by Rob-
ert Lord, for the court, and served by John Perly, deputy
to Robert Lord, marshal of Ipswich.
Warrant, dated July 15, 1668, “To ye Constables of
Topsfield. You are in his Majestyes Name by virtue
of ye Generali Courts order req All togeather yor
severall Inhabitants some time in next who are to
Choose some one of yor fremen as a — — to Joyn wth yor
select men in Making a list of all ye Male psons in yor
town from 16 years old & upward who are to be assessed
20d p head & an estimation of all psonall and reall estates
wch are to be putt at id in ye pound, wch being pfected
according to Law is to be Carried to ye Meeting of ye
Comissors for yt Shire ye Ist 4th Day of ye week in 7br
and thence to be transmitted to ye Country Treasur,” etc.,
signed by Richard Russel, Treasurer.
At a General Court held at Boston, 12: 6: 1645, “For-
asmuch as this Court hath formerly Graunted that there
should be a Village vpon Ipswich Riuer at or neere a place
Called the new meadowes & forasmuch as Certaine of the
Inhabitants of Ipswich who haue farmes Improoved neare
there vnto & do desire that a minister might be setled
there to dispence the word to the present Inhabitants &
such other as shall plant themselves at the said Village
whom yet notwthstanding they are no ways able in any
Comfortable manner to mainteine a minister & to defray
other necessary charges of the place, IfwTiall they should
be liable to all other rates & publicke charges of the
Toune of Ipswich. This court doth therefore hereby
Order that either the whole Toune of Ipswich shall equally
Contribute (wTi such other Inhabitants as haue lands in
or neere the sayd village) to the maintenance of a minis-
ter & all other publicke charges Incident to such a village,
or else the aforesaid Inhabitants that haue lands neere the
sayd village & shall Contribute to the maintenance of a
minister there & other necessary charges shall be freed
from all manner of Rates charges or Contributions to the
Toune of Ipswich for theire land or stock in or belonging
to the sayd village.” Copy made by Edward Rawson,
secretary.
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 33
William Goodhue deposed that William Prechsett had
paid to the ministry at Ipswich the past ten years ; in 1666
his rate was 17s. 6d., in 1667, 16s. 8d. This was accord-
ing to deponent’s book.
Theophilus Wilson deposed that Pritchett paid for
county and town rates, in 1666, 21s. 4d., in 1667, 21s. 2d.,
and in 1668, 20s. 6d.
The country rate made Nov. 18, 1668, for Topsfeild,
by Frances Pabody, John Gould, Thomas Baker, and Dan-
iell Borman : Mr. Gilbert, 4s. 6d. ; Samuel Cuttler, 8s. 1 id. ;
Lt. Francis Pebody, ili. 4s. 2d. ; Mr. Perkins, 12s. 9d. ;
Tho. Baker, 6s. ; Tho. Perkins, ili. is. 6d. ; John Reding-
ton, ili. is. iod.; Tho. Browing, 8s. 4d. ; Deboray Per-
kins, 2s.; William and Joseph Townes, 11s. 6d. ; Jacob
Townes, 7s. 6d. ; Corp. Edmond Townes, 14s. 3d. ; James
Watters, 4s.; Will Avery, is.; Iasck Estey, 9s. 8d. ; John
How, 1 2s. 6d. ; John Morall, 9s. nd.; Mickall Daniel,
5s. 6d. ; Mickall Boudan, 2s. 8d. ; Mathu Hucker, 2s. 8d. ;
John Hovey, 9s. 6d. ; Daniel Clarke, 9s. 5d.; Mathu
Standly, 7s. iod. ; Tho. Hobes, 13s. id.; John French,
8s. 6d. ; Daniel Black. 3s. 6d. ; John Wilds, 13s. 3d.; An-
tony Carell, 5s. 6d. ; Tho. Avery, 4s. 3d. ; Daniell Borman,
14s. 4d. ; Jon. Robinson, 2s. iod.; Isack Cumins, sr., 7s.
3d.; Isack Cumins, jr. , 10s. ; Einsine Howelett, 4s. iod. ;
Will. Nicklas, 11s. 8d.; Euenss Mories,3s. ; Jon. Nickoes,
2s. 9d. ; Corp. Wm. Smith, 4s. 4d. ; Ephram Dorman, 8s. ;
Edmon Bridges, 4s. 6d. : Luke Waklen, is.; Will. Prechat,
5s.; Tho. Dorman, 9s. 6d. ; Jon. Gould, ili. 2s. ; Joseph
Pebody, 4s. 7d. ; total, 20li. is. 7d.
At a meeting of the seven men, Mar 15, 1651. “wheras
the Inhabytants of Topsfield doe with there cattell feed
our cow common to the great preiudice of the Towne
heard, And whereas there is a good quantitye of common
Land adioyneing to mr Pendletons farme and Rowley Lyne,
which may accomodate them for the feeding of there cat-
tell which they have desired to be granted to them for
there common vse. The seaven men, haueing power from
the Towne being desirous to make provision for there
heard, as also for the Towne heard have ordered & Grant-
ed that the sayd common Land, lying and adioyneing to
134 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
mr Pendletons, to mr Bradstreets, and the Land late mr
William Paines should be a common to remaine for the
common use of the Inhabitants of Topsfield, that is to say
all the Inhabytants of or The Lands of Ensigne How-
lett the land granted symonds and soe from the south
syde of the Po[nd] called mr Bakers Pond to Rowley
bounds to the there sucksessors for ever provided
that the Inhabitants of the places aforesaid, shall not at
any time hereafter, suffer any of there cattell to feed upon
the cow common of the Towne of Ipswich but if at any
time, there cattell be taken feeding upon the sayd cow
commons of Ipswich, they shall be acknowledged to be
trespasers, and the owners of them bound to make sattice-
faction acording to the orders of the Towne of Ipswich or
the prudentiall men therof from time to tyme.” Copy
made Jan. 8, 1666, from the old town book by Robert
Lord, cleric. — Mar . jo, 1669 .
In the trespass suit of John Ingersol v. Jacob Barney,
sr., Jacob Towne, aged about thirty-eight years, deposed
that seventeen years since he cut grass, etc., on Ryall side
in Salem, near Frost fish river, and John Wild, aged about
fifty years, deposed that about nineteen years since, he cut
wood there, etc. — Mar. 30 , 1669.
Court allowed the return of the way laid out from Tops-
field to Have[rhi]ll ferry by Samuell Brocklebank, Ezekiell
Northend, Jo. Gould, Tho. Baker, Joseph Pike and John
Griffing, recorded lib. 4, p. 305.
Report of Ezekiel Northend, Thomas Baker and Joseph
Pike to the court, having been “appointed by the three
Respective Towns to lay out a Cuntry high way from
Topsfeild meettinge house to hauerill fery: haue laide it
from Topsfeild meettinge house toward hauerill on the
East side of a hill Called the bar hill and ouar pey brooke
through a plaine Called the pine plaine and soe by the
mouth of a pond and soe directly into Andouer Road :
Trees being marked on both sides of the way and soe
kept the roade untill we Come about fourty Rod from the
fiue mile ponde and then leaning the ponde on the left
hand we went between two hills the one being Called balle
pate & the other Shauen Crown Trees beinge marked on
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 35
both sids of the wa ye and soe on by the weste side of a
medow Called the half Moone medow and soe strait for-
ward by trees that are marked downe by the side of Rob-
urt haseltines medow Estward of the medow and to goe
ouar the great brooke att the north East end of the said
Robart haseltines medow and soe to goe strait from the
brooke through a ualley into the Cart way that goeth to
the haseltines medow and then to kep the Cart waye
through John Pikards farme and soe ouar a brooke Called
Johnsons brooke att the olde Carte waye trees being
marked on both sids of the way and soe to keep that Cart
way untill it Come in to the high waye that goeth from
Rowly and soe to keep that Roade untell it Come to a
brooke Called the Stony Runet and from thens to goe
strait west ward : trees being marked on both sids of the
ing on the south of Robart haseltines dwelling hous
ning by the west de of his barne & soe olde
way vntill it C the country from Andouar to
hauerill so to goe down Thomas kimballs hous
to hauerill fery : dated ye 28 of 1668.”
Petition of John Carleton, George Browne, Daniell Lad,
sr., Joseph Davis and John Hazeltine, Sept. 29, 1668 to
Ipswich court: “Wee understand that or Neighbours on
the other side of the River of Merrimack agt ye towne of
Haverhill have lately, upon theire ow'ne heads & with out
the approbation consent & joynt helpe of the towne of
Haverhill wch the Law provides for, page 37: title High-
wayes, Sect. i,|| endeavours the change of an Highway||
therefore wee ye Selectmen at Haverhill in the name &
behalfe of the sd Towne doe signifie to this Court (to which
wee are informed that or Neighbours without knowledge
or privitie, doe intend underhand to repaire for the ac-
complishment of the private ends & aimes of but two or
three m — That wee have not Joyned & doe not joyne w*
or Neighbours in th — actinge in this matter nor doe upon
any hand consent that there — be any other Country high-
way laid out then that which was last laid out by the con-
sent of our Towne, & also of or Neighbours on ye other
side which highway was laid out by the River side betw :
the feilde & the banke. Wee humbly & wee hope ground-
136 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
edly conceive that if — Hond Court should confirme that
way that is lately laid out by ymselvs viz: or neighbours,
who intend, as wee heare now to propound it, will be a
great damage & oppression to some pticular persons —
have it so done, & the old way by the River taken away
or altered ; wee cannot see how it can be any advantage,
but rather a disadvantage to the Country & especially to
or Towne who have constant use of yx way.”
Nath. Saltonstall’s petition : “I am desired by Jn°. Hasel-
tine (who understands that his Brother Robert & a few
others, for theire owne private convenience, whithout any
advantage to the Country but apparently to his great
damage & contrary to his consent & ye approbation of the
Towne of Haverhill) are aimeing at & endeavouring the
alteration of the Country way from the River side over ag*
Haverhill to signifie that it will be very prejuditiall to ye
sd Jno. to have the way altered, so as to enclose the way
that now is betw: the feilds & the River, which is all ye
way that he hath to his house & land y* stands by yx Riv-
er betw: Land of Robert Haseltine & other land yl ye sd
Robert hath lately sold. Some of this towne & my selfe
for one were formerly consenting to the alteration of the
way, ye new one intended being not much farther about,
till we heard yl Robert Haseltine & his successor did in-
tend to fence in & impropriate the old way upon the banke
side, wch was never consented to yx I know of nor approved
of by ye Towne, but now utterly opposed as may appeare
by a writeing under ye hands of our Select men,” etc. —
Mar. jo, 1669.
Abraham How, presented for reproaching the name of
divers persons, was ordered to be whipped or pay a fine.
Tobiah Perkins and Daniell Wood were fined for com-
plaints against them.
Tobiah Perkins deposed that he heard Abraham How
say that Wainwright was dead and gone to his long home
and his hide was carried to the tanners, the hogs ate his
carcass and a black thing picked his bones. He did not
know but it might be “the old boy.” Also that sad things
had befallen Wade and that the latter’s wife pulled out
his beard, which was the reason that he had none. Also
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 37
that Bushipe was sold out of house and home and gone
to Rowley to live, which might be for bying rotten shoes
cheap and selling them dear. Sworn in court.
John Gould and Thomas Baker deposed that Tobiah
Perkins said that Ephraham Dorman and Daniel Wood
could say the same. Sworn in court.
Johnnathan Wilese deposed that How asked him if he
had heard any news at Ipswich, etc. Sworn in court.
William Pebody deposed. Sworn in court. — Apr. 28 ,
1669.
Daniell Clarke of Topsfield was licensed to keep an or-
dinary for selling beer and victuals for a year. — Apr. 28 ,
1669.
Left. Payebody was chosen to be one of three to be on
the jury upon Ingersoll and Barney’s account at Salem
court, June 29, 1669.
Thomas Dorman, late constable of Topsfield v. William
Pritchett. Review. Defendant ordered to return the cow.
Writ, dated Apr. 16, 1669, signed by Robert Lord, for
the court, and served by John Kimball, deputy for Rob-
ert Lord, marshal of Ipswich, by attachment of land of
defendant.
Warrant, dated Jan. 27, 1668, to the constable ofTops-
feild, for collecting the rates, signed by Jno. Gould, Tho-
mas Perkins, Thomas Baker, Daniil Borman and Frances
Pebody.
Copy of writ, town record, certificate concerning min-
ister’s rate of William Pritchett, country rate of 1668, and
record of the action in the last Ipswich court, also the
General Court, made Apr. 24, 1669, by Robert Lord, cleric.
Warrant, dated 16: 7: 1669, to the constable of Tops-
feild for collecting the country rate and also their “Collidg
portion wch at twenty-two pence in ye pound is twenty
two shillings eight pence,” signed by Richard Russell,
treasurer.
Town rate made Jan. 27, 1668, to defray the town’s
debts, signed by John Gould, Thomas Perkins, Thomas
Baker, Daniil Borman and Frances Pabody : Mr. Gilbert,
is. 7d. ; Dekon Hovey, 7s. 4d. ; Jon. Hovey, 7s. 2d. ; Mr.
Perkins, ili. 3s. 9d. ; Will. Avery, 7s. iod.; Tho. Avery
rj8 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPS FIELD.
5s. 2d.; Jon. Redington, ili. 12s.; nd. Tho. Baker, ilL
16s. 6d. ; Tho. Perkins, ili. 18s. iod. ; Mikall Dwaniell,
8s. 2d.; Tho. Browning, 9s. 9d. ; Isack Comings, sr., 10s.
yd. ; Isack Commings, jr., 17s.; Insine Howellett, 16s.
6d. ; Antony Carell, 7s. 9d. ; Jon. Wilds, ili. 3s.; Jon.
Robinson, 4s. 3d.; Marthu Standly, 13s. 7d. ; Cor. Will.
Smith, 6s. iod. ; Will. Prichat, 6s. 3d. ; Mikall Boudan, 3s.
2d.; Mathu Hucker, 3s. 2d.; Evenes Mories, 3s. 2d. ;
Luke Wakeline, 2s. 3d. ; Tho. Dorman, 5s. id. ; Jon. Daves,
4s. ; Jon. Gould, 9d. ; Richard Kimball, and Tho. Fisk 18s.
iod.; Wedo Andros, 6s. 46.; Will, and Joseph Townes,
17s. 9d. ; Jon. How, 15s. 8d. ; James Watres, 5s. 9d. ;
Ephram Dorman, 14s. 7d. ; Will. Hobes, 7s. 4d. ; Corp.
Edmond Townes, ili. is. 7d. ; Daniell Clark, 11s. ; Will.
Nicklos, 18s. iod.; Farmer Porter, 12s. 9d. ; Jon. Nicklos,
9s. 2d.; Thomas Putnam, 2s. id.; Samuell Cuttler, ili.
6s. 5d.; John Putnam, is. 2d.; Daniel Borman, 4s. 2d. ;
Nathaniel Putnam, 3s. 2d.; Lieut. Frances Pebody, 2li.
5s. id.; Jon. French, 13s. 7d. ; Jon. Moriell, 19s. iod.;
Tho. Hobes, ili. 2s. 3d.; Daniel Blake, 4s. nd.; Isack
Esty, 1 is. iod. ; Jacob Townes, 13s. 5d. ; Base River men,
16s. 6d. ; total, 36IL 10s. 2d. Paid Thomas Baker 6s.
upon the town’s account for getting the “gimeres.”
John Gould, Thomas Perkins, Thomas Baker, Daniil
Borman and Frances Pebody, selectmen, ordered the con-
stable to pay the town’s debts as follows: Tho. Hobes, ili.
is.; Tho. Dorman, sr., 17s.; Ephraham Dorman, 2s.;
Tho. Dorman, sr., 8s. ; Tho. Perkins, 9s. ; Jon. Redington,
9s.; Will. Avery, 4s.; John Gould, ili. 2s. 2d.; Luke
Wakling, ili.; Jacob Townes, 2s. ; Samuell Simons, 81i.
15s. ; John Gould, 5s. ; Jon. How, 2s. iod. ; Thomas Bak-
er, 8s. ; Jon. Robinson, 2s. ; Tho. Baker, ili. ; Isack Estey,
2s.; Corp. Townes, 8s.; Jon. Wilds, 14I1’. 16s. ; Daniel
Borman, 7 s. 6d. ; Liut. Pebody, 16s. ; Daniel Clarke, 7s.;
total, 32b. 16s. 3d.
Deed dated Jan. 28, 1657, Mark Simonds of Ipswich,
tailor, to Daniell Clarke of Topsfield, for 15 li., eighteen
acres of upland and meadow in Topsfield, near a pond
commonly called Mr. Baker’s pond, bounded by a brook
coming out of said pond on the east, a brook from
COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD. 1 39
Mr. Baker’s meadow on the south and west and by a ridge
of rocks on the north. Wit: Robert Lord and Tho. Clarke.
Joana, wife of Marke Simonds, released her dower.
Thomas Dorman’s bill of cost, 3 li. 19s. 4d.
At a town meeting held 14: 10: 1661, following are the
names of the commoners: Mr. Bradstreat, Mr. Endicot,
Mr. Pirkins, Zacheas Gould, Mr. Baker, Thomas Dorman,
Francis Pebodie, William Evens, Danell Clarke, Isack
Cumings, sr., Isack Cumings, jr., Ensigne Howlet, William
Smith, Frances Bates, John Wiles, John Redington, Tho.
Perkins, Tho. Browning, Jacob Towne, Isack Estie, Willi,
Towne, Edmond Towne, Mathew Standley, Anthony Carell,
John How, Edward Bridges, Will. Nichols, Uselton's lot,
Lumpkins farme, Robert Andrewe’s land. Copy made
from the town by book, 11:3: 1669, John Redington, clerk.
John Wiles and Thomas Dorman deposed that the lot
called Uselten’s lot was the Prichit lot in controversy, and
that it was within the line that Ipswidg granted to Tops-
feld which line ran to the south side of Mister Baker’s
pond and to Rouly river.
John Wilds deposed that eighteen or nineteen years ago
Marck Symons paid rates to Topsfield; then he sold to
Daniell Clarck and he did the same, Ussellton bought it
and he did likewise, but Prichet refused for four years to
pay. Before this, said Prichit lived in Ipswidg. Sworn in
court.
John How deposed that Thomas Dorman went to Good-
man Prichet’s land and distrained a cow in satisfaction
for the rates, which was appraised by deponent and
Thomas Backer at 3IL 5s. The land of Prichet’s was about
a mile and a half from Topsfeeld meeting house and above
six miles from Ipswidg meeting house, and said Prichet had
lived there four years. Further, the latter wintered his
cows within the place commonly called new meadows.
Thomas Backer testified to the same. Sworn in court.
Frances Pabody deposed that he, Simon Tutle and
Moses Pingre met to renew the bound marks between Ips-
wich, Topsfield and Rowley, and to Topsfield was given
from the end of divisional line between Ipswich and Rouly
to the furthermost end of the pond, etc. Sworn in court.
140 COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
Lift. Francis Pebody and Thomas Backer, selectmen
for 1668, deposed that William Prichit was not rated for
any head nor for his house which he lived in, but for his
stock and land and a barn. Sworn in court. — -June 29,
1669.
Mr. William Browne, sr. v. John Goold. Debt. Ver-
dict for plaintiff.
Writ, dated 27 : 2: 1669, signed by Hillyard Veren,
for the court, and served by Henery Skerry, marshal of
Salem, by attachment of twelve acres of meadow near the
house of defendant at Topsfeild.
Bond, dated Dec. 28, 1666, John Gould of Topsfeld
to Mr. William Browne, for 30H. 17s. 9d., for Edmond
Bridges of Topsfeld, to be paid in wheat and Indian corn
or corn failing, in iron tools such as he should give him
notice to make. Wit: Benjamin Browne and Steven Has-
kett. Copy from the book, made by William Browne.
Sworn in court. — June 29 , 1669.
Ensign Howlet and Robert Lord, sr., were ordered to
lay out a highway from Mr. Endecot’s farm in Topsfeild
to Topsfeild meeting house before 15: 7: 1669. — June
2 9 y I669.
Writ: Ens. John Gould v. Edmond Bridges or Hack-
aliah Bridges ; debt; dated 23:4:1669; signed by John
Redington, for the court; and served by Henrey Skerry,
marshal of Salem. Bond of Edmond Bridges of Sallem.
— June 29 , 1669.
Writ: Edmund Bridges v. William Averil ; for not pay-
ing Mr. William Browne, sr., 7H. in malt, wheat and Indian
corn; dated June 23, 1669; signed by Daniel Denison,
for the court; and served by Robert Lord, marshal of
Ipswich. — June 29 , 1669.
Writ: Mr. William Browne v. Edmond Bridges; debt
due from Wm. Averill in 1663 ; dated June 17, 1669;
signed by Robert Lord, for the court; and served by
Robert Lord, marshal of Ipswich, by attachment of house
and land of defendant. — June 29 , 1669.
{To be continued.)
VITAL STATISTICS OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
FOR THE YEAR 1918.
BIRTHSb
1918
Jan.
1.
Jan.
16.
Jan.
16.
Jan.
16.
Feb.
7-
Apr.
1.
May
7-
May
24.
June
29.
July
4-
July
8.
Aug.
30*
Sept.
20.
Sept.
24.
Nov.
19.
Dec.
24.
Dec.
24.
Edward Joseph Hale, son of Robert and Mattie Isabelle
(Gould) Hale.
Anna Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of Gilbert and Jane K. (Killam)
Jordan.
Charles Franklin Jordan, son of Gilbert and Jane K.
(Killam) Jordan.
Elinor Jordan, dau. of Perley B. and Marion C. (Carter)
Jordan.
David Wait, son of Charles Robert and Ann Hathaway
(Edwards) Wait.
John Francis Culliton, son of Merrill E. and Mary E. (Sul-
livan) Culliton.
McGregor, son of Percy C. and Edna P. (Nutter)
MacGregor.
Ransom Bearce Long, son of Henry F. and Margaret
(Pingree) Long.
Norman Emerson Bradley, son of Richard L. and Tressor
A. (Dean) Bradley.
Arthur Pickering Northey, son of Henry B. and Jennie P.
(Price) Northey.
Robert Erdsley Weaver, son of William E. and Alice
(Query) Weaver.
Maxine Owena Smerage, dau. of Karl Gordon and Daisy
Belle (Brown) Smerage.
Fernando Fornaroli, dau. of Guiseppe and Rosina (Cop-
petti) Formaroli.
Gordon Merry, son of Burpy Lambert and Lena Agnes
(Parsons) Merry.
Ruth Rebecca Dwinell, dau. of John W. and Susan M.
(Kelly) Dwinell.
Concenta Cotoia, dau. of Carmino Cotoia and Savena
(Mosia) Cotoia.
Carmello Gangi, son of Salvatore Gangi and Provindenza
(Rizza) Gangi.
(14D
142
VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1 9 1 8.
MARRIAGES.
1918
Mar. 23.
Apr. 30.
Jan. 9.
July 7.
Nov. 9.
Conrad Sten Tronerud (Topsfield) son of Conrad E. and
R. A. (Larsen) Tronerud.
Sadie Viola Durkee (Salem, Mass.), dau. of Norman P. and
L. A. (Crowell) Durkee. (Married in Salem.)
Harvey Lafaille (Holyoke, Mass.), son of Adelard and Mal-
vina (Racine) Lafaille.
Evangeline La Bonte (Topsfield), dau. of Andre and Delia
La Bonte. (Married in Holyoke, Mass.)
Thomas Henry Clay (Topsfield), son of Hiram L. and Mary
L. (Murphy) Clay.
May Catherine De Coff (So. Boston, Mass.), dau. of James
and Elizabeth (O’Brien) De Coff. (Married in So. Bos-
ton, Mass.)
Nicholas D. Ellard (Topsfield), son of George and Ellen
(Ryan) Ellard.
Annie M. Fleming (Beverly, Mass.), dau. of James and
Nora (Haran) Fleming. (Married in Beverly, Mass.)
Charles Wallace Morissey (Topsfield), son of James and
Nellie (Thomas) Morissey.
Gertrude Lucella Dunn (Mattapoisett, Mass.), dau. of
George H. and A’Letta(Monk) Dunn. (Married in Salem,
Mass.)
DEATHS.
1918
Jan. 10.
Mar. 5.
Apr. 6.
May 7.
June 9.
Nov. 12.
Dec. 7.
Dec. 14.
James M. Bray, son of Benjamin S. and Anna E. (Perkins)
Bray. Aged 42 yrs., 9 mos., 13 dys.
Caroline Pingree Balch, widow of Benjamin J. Balch and
dau. of Jewett and Mary (Perkins) Pingree. Aged 84 yrs.,
9 mos., 8 dys.
Elizabeth Chase, dau. of Frederick and Mary (Stinson)
Chase. Aged 82 yrs., 7 mos., 22 dys.
Mac Gregor, son of Percy C. and Mary (Nutter)
Mac Gregor. Still born.
Phoebe W., widow of Josiah Perkins and dau. of Samuel
and Cynthia (Bradstreet) Towle. Aged 82 yrs.
Sarah D. Peabody, dau. of Joel R. and Sarah (Dole) Pea-
body. Aged 69 yrs., 1 1 mos., 16 dys.
Daniel Alvin Conant, son of John and Harriet E. (Brown)
Conant. Aged 85 yrs.. 10 mos., 19 dys.
Ralph W. Barker, son of J. Charles and Nellie (Richardson)
Barker. Aged 28 yrs., 8 mos., 17 dys.
VITAL STATISTICS FOR 19 1 8.
M3
Deaths in other places— interment in Topsfield.
1918
Jan.
9-
Ja.n
22.
Feb.
4-
Mar.
16.
Apr.
14.
May
24.
June
July
12.
Aug.
21.
Oct.
2.
Oct.
5-
Oct.
15-
Oct.
17-
Dec.
21.
Emily Avery, wife of Arthur Urban Hutchings and dau. of
Charles and Rosalinda (Brown) Pinkham. Aged 72 yrs.,
9 mos. Died in Melrose.
Arthur W. Lake, died in No. Andover, Mass. Aged 53 yrs.,
7 mos., 1 dy.
Joseph Leland Towne, died in Waverly, Mass. Aged cc
yrs., 8 mos., 25 dys.
Elias P. Peabody, died in Danvers, Mass. Aged 81 yrs.,
4 mos., 29 dys.
Gilbert Judson Norris, died in Abington, Mass. Aged 71
yrs., 7 mos., 1 dy.
Sarah Amanda Foster, died in Hamilton, Mass. Aged 81
yrs., 6 mos., 25 dys.
Laura E. Morse, died in Wenham, Mass.
George W. Curtis, died in Boxford, Mass. Aged 80 yrs.,
9 mos., 14 dys.
Elmer W. Welch, died in Haverhill, Mass. Aged 55 yrs.,
3 mos., 19 dys.
Althea F. (Winslow) Durkee, dau. of Frank L. and Carrie
L. (Simonds) Winslow, died in Danvers, Mass. Aeed
29 yrs.
Jacob Jewett Hardy, died in Georgetown, Mass. Aged 56
yrs., 1 mo., 19 dys.
Ira M. Wilson, died in Derry, N. H. Aged 22 yrs., 4 mos.,
12 dys.
Mary E., dau. of Fred M. and Cora (Kneeland) Williams.
Aged 16 yrs. 8 mos. Died in Boxford, Mass.
Thomas E. O. Daley, died in Rehoboth, Mass. Aged 60
yrs., 2 mos., 5 dys.
1 44
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN 191$.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS IN 1918.
7918.
F ebruary.
Feb. 24.
Apr. 6.
Sept. -Oct,
Sept. 28.
Nov. 6.
November.
Nov. 29.
Topsfield-Boxford Company of Home Guards reorgai
ized as a Machine Gun Company.
Celebration of 75th Anniversary of the erection of th
Congregational Meeting House.
Pumping Station at the T. W. Peirce farm destroyed t
a grass fire.
Epidemic of influenza. (90 cases)
Annual Cattle show and fair of Essex Agricultural S<
ciety abandoned because of influenza epidemic. Th
Society was organized in 1819 in Topsfield.
Rev. Charles E. Reeves of Holbrook, Mass., engaged t
occupy the pulpit of the Congregational Church, Re1
A. H. Gilmore having been granted leave of absenc
to engage in Y. M. C. A. work in France.
Union of the Congregational and Methodist Churche
effected.
Dwelling house of Mrs. Francelia Fuller on Sumnu
Street, destroyed by fire.
BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED DURING THE YEAR 1918.
James Duncan Phillips, Hill St., cottage.
John S. Lawrence, Ipswich St., cement stable, garage and sheds; sun
mer house.
M. B. Bailey, Main St., shoe shop (formerly the Central School hous
located on the common near the town hall) taken down.
M. B. Bailey, Main St., Two story tenement house adjoining his hous<
taken down to be reerected in Byfield.
Leroy Gleason, Washington St., shop near Towne-Welch house remove
to Boston St. and remodelled as a garage.
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